The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-08-27
BROKEN !!
Detective Robert Bumsted
Dismissed from the
Police Force.
.REPAWNED STOLEN WATCH
He Plead Guilty and No EVIL
dence Was Taken, No
Criticism Made.

Robert Z. Bumsted, of the detective
bureau, was dismissed from che force last
night by the Board of Police Commission
ers. He had sent a letter OF resignation
to the Board, but no attention was paid
to it, His trial was on two charges, act
ing in manner unbecomirg an officer
and neglect of duty. Bumsted acted as
though ne fully expected dismissal.
Throughout the meeting he occupied
rear seat in the court room lie was ac-
companied by his father ana younger
brother. No appointment will be made
to fill the vacancy.
The Board convened at s:15 o'clock. All
the Commissioners Were present. A1teI
a short meeting of the Board OF Health
the Police Board meeting opened
President McGill opened the meeting by
saying:--"rhe first business will be the
trial of Robert Bumsted
Bumsted stepped forward calmly and
Clerk Robinson read the two charges.
The first was that the detective was gull.
the locating Of valuable watch that mad
been stolen in New York City some
months ago and pawned in this CITY:
Bumsted was given full description OF
the watch by Chief Murphy and told to
look for it in pawn shops lie found tne
watch and redeemed it for the sum Tor
$50. Then he repawned it for $35. This
deal gave him a profit of So Then Bum
sted opened negotiations with the owner
found it in pawn shop and that 1t
could be redeemed for $35. This negotia-
ton, it is said, was made by Bumsted IN
the hope Of securing supstanttaa re- e
replying to Bumsted, communicated with
Captain Titus of the New York City de-
tective bureau, and that gentlemen at,srhn lost
When Chief Murphy learned the details
of the case he became very. angry and
summon ed Bumsted before him: The ac-
sl1fA tn fhxH( q -
at Police Headquarters, and the interview
was rather warm. The Chief Threatened
to lock Bumsted up on criminal charge.
end then the detective told the whole
story in detail His suspension followed
Immediately This was on August last
The Sc ,ond charge against Bumsted was
that he was guilty OF conduct unbecoming
an officer.
: In both charges Bunsted replied
.sThat is alI." said President McGill,
seat.
One of the spectators was heard to re
mark
The suddenness with which the trial
had been closed was disconcerting to tee
big crowd that had been drawn to the
meeting IN the hope @ tha{ an ant 1ntefeSss feins
case the Board ever heard was not finish
ed in such short period. There was abb
solutely nothing to It. e.,.a snor4
session in an ante room, at Which tney
decided upon what punshmentS they
would impose on those derelinauents VINO
were on trial. it reassembled to announce
the verdicts decided upon.
.Robert E. Bumsted, called President
MeGill. and the detective stepped forward
with a greater show of interest than ne
had before exhibited. He said nothing :,
1.-The Board has carefully considered
your case, said Dr.. McGill. IT t.. thinIss
has decided to dismiss you from the
force
Bumsted turned on his heel without a
word and walked TO the rear of the room:
His father and brother Joined I'm, ana ana
the three left the court room together toi-
lowed by nlurmurs of surprise and re-
gret.
Robert Bumsted was appointed as a
chanceman on November 49,, 1871 On
May /, 1898, he was promoted to the rank
came a detective About year age he
was detailed to cover the pawn shops.
Bumsted's duty in covering the pawn
shops was to go from one to the otner
searching for goods that had been stolen
from this and neighboring cities When
a robbery took place here or in any near
by city Chief Murphy received full de-
scriptions and all details that might be
of assistance to Bumsted In recovering
the stolen property were handed TO tne
detective and he went from pawnshop to
pawnshop in an endeavor to recover
Bumsted was always in possession of the
names of those who were robbed He was
in a position to communicate with the
owners of property he had recovered
This is the case in which Bumsted was
of the watch and offered to restore 1t to
him without his going through the form.
ality Of negotiating with the heads of
police departments.