New-York tribune., 1902-07-27
HOW To MAKE A GOOD POLICE FORCE.
AN EX-CAPTAIN'S VIEws-ARBITRARY POWER OF
REMOVAL NECESSARY

HOW To MAKE A GOOD POLICE FORCE.
AN EX-CAPrAINs vIEws-ARBIrRARY POWER OF
REMOVAL NECESSARY.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Having been for some twelve years previous
TO 1887 police officer IN OF the cities of this
State serving in the various grades as patroIman
roundsman. detective and captain. / am always
interested In police matters The trouble with the
police of New-York. Brooklyn and other cities has
always been the same. viz, disposition on the
part OF n majority to overawe and try rule their
superiors by combination for political intrigue and
pull" An element which dominates the police
forces OF most cities has always been well known
to those who have served among that class, and
also to we'll informed citizens generally as unceas-
ingly active TO have matters its way, regard
less of duty and discipline. This element is always
a menace to the honest and faithful performance
of duty; 1t is always aiming corrupt and infiu-
ence new members. and in scheming and plotting
avoid fidelity TO duty
Commissioner Partridge. l read. says that in
spectors must hold captains responsible captains
the rOundsmen, and the latter "are supposed to
keep the patromen on the walk doing their duty"
etc. With all respect to Colonel Partridge though
all he says is quite true about responsibility for
the patrolmans fidelity. he should bear in mind
that roundsman can follow but one patrolman at
a time, hence II is clear that, however true to dis
cipline a roundsman may be in his dealing with
patrolmen under him. the former must of neces-
sity. trust the latter alone much of their tour of
duty. unless the roundsman makes point of shat-
owing one man during six hours. Roundsmen and
sergeants are like the others. and want to put in
their time easily. and with the least friction with
their men. This know from experience A Civil
Service test never can predetermine a mans ca
pacity to make an efficient patrolman. After all
you must depend largely upon a mans own dis
position and conscientiousness. You place a pa
trolman on his post and it is plain that YOU can't
watch him all the time (unless you have a rounds
man for each and every patroman), and while day-
when the night comes, and the burglar and thug
operate the patroiman usually Is travelling his
post so frequently. Hence crimes are Committed
easily.
The fact is that police officers of all grades are
too strongly intrenched in position by legislative
methods and the Judgments of the courts and this
has been the result of years of schemIng and log
rolling by policemen and their friends the pofti-
clans. The tenure or any police officer sholild he
not longer than his proved fitness and efficiencv
patrolman who merely loiters about killing tjme
in two or three years time acquires an enormous
grth of waist, becomes a mere gutton is one w bo
has no energy. and is mo good an officer and
should be dismissed for incapacity. physical or
mental. or both a commissioner (who Of course
l assume should be absolutely upright norj
should have power arbitrarily to dismiss any and
every lazy inefficient policeman. whatever his
grade may be- and get rid of that demoraiizing
element as fast as possible, and so In time yoS,
may build up police force that is faithful TO dTtv
and discipline The best Won can fpd cc.,iSs
not, single handed under existing conditions estab
lish a good police force. Sto- T,y
New York, July H. 1902