New-York tribune., 1902-02-07
THREE PLATOONS TO GO.
COMMISSIONER PARTRIDGE ORDERS
RETURN TO OLD SYSTEM.
TO MAKE MURPHY's METHOD EFFECTIVE IT
WOULD BE NECESSARY TO SPEND
s2,8OOoo MORE A YEAR.

Police Commissioner Partridge yesterday is
sued an order abolishing the three platoon sys-
tenn and amending the police manual so as TO
reinstate the two platoon system of patrol duty
which was in force almost from the organiza-
tion Of the paid Police Department until last
summer. The introduction OF the three platoon
system by Commissioner Murphy, as The Trib-
une has said several times. was regarded by
police officials Of ability and experience as cal
culated greatly to reduce the efficiency of the
Eolice Commissioner Partridge's order. restor-
ing the former system, goes into effect Monday
morning
The Commissioner yesterday issued state
nlent of his reasons for restoring the two pla-
toon system II contains the information. al
ready known TO readers of The Tribune. that the
old system provided for having practically the
entire available patrol force on duty at night
platoon being on post while the other pla-
toon was in reserve in the station; that the
three platoon system compelled decrease in
the number of patrol posts. the lengthening of
night posts and gave poorer protection at night
in all parts Of the city. and that the reserve
force was cut Gown to give the police eight
hours duty a day.
To keep up the old number of night posts
der the three platoon system the Commissioner
says. would require 1905 additional patromen
at additional annual expense of S2.O39, 463,
and to provide the extra number of sergeants
and roundsmen to watch them would mean an
additional annual expense of about SoO0oo
Continuing, the Commissioner says:
Policemen cannot be properly classed with work
ingmen who toll eight hours more or less and
have the remaining time TO 5hgmSelTes yes ~ dhe r 1er
stances. The former have permanent poslu9Is;
have opportunities for advancement. are furnished
medical attendance free, and when disabled IN ser
vice or incapacitated on account Of age are pen
stoned. Eight hours is too long for any man TO be
I
and blood cannot stand it Experience In the army
should be limited to two hours consecutively. eX-
cept in rare emergencies The large number of
men found off post at night in hotels. saloons and
convenient resting places is evidence that elght
hours patrol is severe strain
There is evidence also that men often off post
who are not reported So Complaints OF robbery
Chief report that during the last few months
smaller proportion of fires are reported by the po-
lice and more by other persons; also that many
fires have attained such headway before being re-
ported that they were eXtngushed with greater
difficulty, and the damages were much larger.
The reserves now left being one-half of what they
formerly it is often difficult in emergencies to
On the occasion Of the accident in the subway last
month thirty precincts had TO be called upon to
assemble &5 officers, ana of these 50 had TO be
taken from their posts.
For these reasons deem II to be my duty TO re-
store the former system of patrol
It would not surprise some officials if the
restoration of the two platoon system were fol-
lowed by loud demand by some of the patrol
men for the repayment of assessments levied
through their secret association for the promo
ton Of a three-platoon system. 1t has been
common talk in the department that a sum
amounting to many thousands of dollars
raised by such assessments and that the bulk
of 1t was paid TO promoters not unknown to
Tammany Hall. 1t would please some of the
older police officials if the 'squeals'' of men
who gave up the money should result in the dis
closure of the names of the promoters.