Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-08-21
Police commissioners Meet.


at its meeting last night, made a num-
Der of changes in the working of the po-
lice department, nong which was a
complete abolition of the police rules.
A committee was appointed to draft an
entirely new set, and until the new rules
are prepared and adopted the police
force is under the absolute control OF the
Mayor.
Mayor Simpson and Commissioners
Hill, Lawler and Fisher were present.
The secretary, Mr.. Miller, who is out of
the city was the only absentee.
As soon as the board was called TO or
der Mr.. Fisher moved that the position
of secretary be declared vacant, and the
motion was carried. Mr.. Lawler nominal
ed Mr.. Fisher for the Office, but Mr.. Fisher
declined, ard, in turn, nominated Mr..
LAWYER, who was elected.
The resignation of Thomas Travers as
a member of the force was read and ac-
cepted. After a protracted discussion,
in which Mr.. Hill urged that the cleo
ton to fiji the vacancy be postponed to
a special meeting, Frederick j. Garvey
was unanimously elected. In accord
ance with the provisions of the new con-
stitution the vote was viva vOce.
Under the head of unfinished business
Mr.. Lawler called up the case of Officer
Young, who was recently suspended for
fifteen days by the Mayor for an infrac-
ton of the rules. Mr.. Lawler said the
Offense was a serious one, but inasmuch
as the officer had never been in trouble
before he moved that the Mayors action
be approved His motion was adopted.
Mr.. LAWYER subsequently arose and
said that it was a matter OF general
complaint that the police force IS IN
efficient and announced that it was the
intention of the board to bring the force
up to fixed standard of efficiency, even
if the most radical changes had to be
made. He said it is within the power
of the board to remove every man on the
force, if it sees fit.
Mr.. Hill took issue with him on this
point. saving that the board can only re-
move a man for substantiated charges.
Mr.. Lawler said it was not his in
tention to ask for the removal of any
one. but insisted that the board has the
power which he had mentioned. Mr..
Lawler said that the rules governing the
force were unweildy and complicated,
and that the penalties provided for
infractions were not uniform. He said
the policemen were either ignorant of or
overlooked some of the most important
laws in existence, and that even the most
recent enactments of the City Council,
especially the ordinances in regard to
throwing house waste, refuse, &c, into
streets and alleys. He said the time
had come when every man on the force
must do his duty and do it faithfully
and without murmuring. Mr.. Lawler
read from the new constitution the sec
ton which gives the mayor power to
suspend or remove any city officer for
lust cause, and said the police must not
imagine that they can appeal to the
Corporation Court from the decision OF
the Ma or, as the impression that such Is
the case is an erroneous one. lie said the
legislature would yet have to pass laws
to that effect. He then introduced
the resolution declaring all of the rules
null and void.
Mr.. Hill opposed the resolution,
and he and Mr.. Lawler entered into
long controversy, during which Mr.. Hill
said he had neither friends nor foes on
the force, and did not ask favOrs of any
one. Mr.. Lawler's resolution was then
passed, Mr.. Hill voting in the mega
tive. Mr.. Lawler then introduced a res
olution authorizing the Mayor to tempo
rarily adopt such rules as he might con-
slider necessary, to be in force until new
rules are adopted by the board. This
was passed unanimously, Mr.. Fisher
moved that the chair appoint a COM
mittee of three To- daft new set OF
rifles. and the chair selected Messrs.
Fisher. Lawler, and Hill. Mr. Hill
declined to serve, and upon motion the
chairman was added to the committee.
Mr.. Fisher read from the city charter,
which SAYS the officers of the force shall
consist of chief and a lieutenant and
asked wien and by whom the office OF
sergeant had been created. lie was IN
formed that it was done by the board
several wears ago. Mr. Fisher then said
that he could see no reason for a SER
oeant. and moved that the Office be
abolished and that the incumbent,
Chas. T. Goods, be reduced to the ranks
Mr.. Hill said the sergeants salary
IL hot nf
the board had created the office, and
that he would strenuously oppose abo-
fishing il. He said such an action would
he an Injustice to man who had given
almost his entire life to the service OF the
city. and was now nearing the grave
Mr.. Hills reference was to Chief webs
fer. whose duties, it is alleged, would
he increased 10y the abolition of the oihct
of sergeant. as Mr.. Hill said he eouiC
read between the lines that the majority
Of the beard wanted a younger man 10
chief After some furtherdiscussion thu
office of sergeant was abolished by yot'
of s to l-Mr. Hill opposing.
Mr.. Lawler subsequently Introduce
another resolution, which was passe'
unanimously, empowering the Mayor t
call meetings of Che board at the reques
of two members. Heretofore meeting
have been called by the secretary. Al
o'clock the officers and members OF tn
force were called in and informed OF tn
various actions of the board, after whicl
the Mayor announced changes in tn
hours of relief, changes in the beats
the different squads, and that in fntur
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