The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-08-26
SYLVESTER ON THE POLICE
An Improved Condition Observed
AZ TO Officers of the Law.

The Country Generally Suffering
less Than Previously From the
Operations Of CriminnIs-Cood Or
der she Basis Of improvements
In response TO q request from the Sec
rotary of the League of American 5lu-
uiciualitir~ which organization met IN
convention at jamestown, y l., last
week, Major Richard sylvester. he Su-
pCriutcndCUt of Police or this city and tho
President Of the International AsSoCia-
tion OF Chiefs of Police of the United
states ana Canada, submitted the follow
ing paper on the Modern Police Force"
There is a general tendency for inn
provemcnt, morally. intellectually. and
physically, throughout the police service
of the United States. / am OF the opinion
that the public generally is not awake to
a realization of the immunity from crime
now enjoyed as against conditions as
they existed ten years ago.
Il do not mean to give out the impress
sion that there has been a decrease IN
crime, for crime keeps pace with popuIa-
ton; always did exist and always Will;
but the absence OF the professional bur
Slar. uickpoCket. panneI-workers, and
card shIrps from the cities and towns Is
the result of improved discipline, iUtClu-
gent application, and honest effort on the
part OF the police. \ crook who was
professional "A few years ago in any one
locality was measured. photographed, and
in other respects made known. and pic
lures were sent to the authorities in other
sections. so that chance Of operating
without discovery and apprehension has
since been reduced to q minimum.
i0telliCCutly and systematically used. the
study Of the character of the crime per
petrated by individual characters. has
made it possible TO name the perpctrator
without being in possession Of further in
formation.
In some cases so remarkable has been
this kind OF mind reading as to cause
the public 90 wonder at the achievement
when arrest and conviction would follow.
As a result the professionals have
gone to other chimes. to foreign shores.
where they can ply their operations with
less danger Of apprehension. Foreign
countries have largely maintained their
systems as of old. while in the United
States the conductors Of police institu-
tiOns have organized union known as
the National Association Of Chiefs Of Po-
lice Of tho United States and Canada. who
ALtt sAill4h4s-AAF ana NAS' 07 ilA il
may tend TO the advancement of the
work in hand
Those who master municipal situa-
lions. or who try to do SO. should bear in
mind the truth that everything IN Amer
lea s progressing at such rate as 20 as
tonish the world. The advance conditions
are largely met by inferior police orgaui-
cations. inferior i'm point OF numerical
strength. This is not as it should be- The
great changes are contended against by
forces which may not be properly in
structed but allowed 10 pursue many an
tiquated methods at Conpensations origi-
nally paid years ago Such is not con-
ducivc TO good government. but prevails
simply because the police is the last in
stisution thought Of. when il should be
the first. in the progress which has taken
place.
.On the police must rest every depart
ment of government; the schools. coiec-
lions Of taxes. enforcement Of sanitary
laws. and all other branches
To present fair picture OF munIclpAl
Improvement first plant all Ia q modern
pOlice. department. This must be had IN
order 10 maintain peace and order, 20
prevent crime. and TO detect criminals
Tbs can be had by eXteniluB TO force
Of adequate numbers
''First-A life tenure during good beha-
vior.
Ef@cDIll-4A lfl4Sl1l lNAAlh lf4 ttt'''" ia
1ured or diseased IN the line of duty Jr IN
case of death FOR their families.
''Third-rreetom from political lnfiu-
enCe. with nCn-partlsan board OF com
misSiOners-
The time is ripe when intelligence iS
more necessary in experimenting than
physical strength A superintendent
should he an honest. Jealous. intelligent
kind but nrm man. with ample cOmpcn-
satiou for his labor and modern faclli-
ties at command. His policy should De
thoroughly inculcatsd IN the members OF
his force by school or instruction.
The subordinate officers and Een
should be paid would the agents OF
any weII-,StabIishCd business house or
corporation. and should D. taught TO con-
quot things on q business basls-thlt Is,
10 bring about good results.