New-York tribune., 1902-12-20
POLICE REFORM REPORT. |
I7Co Platoons Stay, bm Eight 1hou-
sand Men 4re Wanted.


the report Of his commission to suggest amend
ments relating to the Police Department. to-
gether with a letter from Police Commissioner
Partridge disagreeing with Eugene a. Philbin's
views on the police patrol systems. There also
was a letter signed by both Colonel Partridge
and Mr.. Philbin. recommending that the term
Of the Police commissioners office be made
fourteen years, and that the removal of Police
Commissioner should be made impossible except
on proved charges showing that the public IN
terests demanded such action. The recent resis-
nation of Commissioner Partridge and its ac-
ceptance. It is explained, permits him to join
in the recommendation without embarrassment
In support of the recommendation. the letter
says:
Such a provision would not be contrary to the
spirit of the charter, in so far as 1t contem-
plates extending the term of the Comnissloner
beyond that Of the Mayor who appolhts MN,
since the charter now provides that the term or
the Commissioner shall be five years. whereas
that Of the Mayor is limited to two years.
No recommendation for a change from the
present two platoon system is made IN the re-
port Mr.. Philbin admits that the three platoon
system should not be tried again without an In
crease in the police force, which he favors he
says, however that the two platoon system can
not give TO the city the proper measure OF ponce
protection to which it is entitled. and he wants
the patrol force increased to eight thousand
men. The large number of policemen oetal1eo
to other departments of the city government Is
declared to be unjust to the Police Department.
and it is stated that the salaries OF the ponce
attached TO the courts aggregate SZl''oOo an
nually The report favors charging TO any oe-
partment to which police are detalleu 'iio ca
pense Of their salaries.
COLONEL PARTRIDGE'S ARGUMENTS
Commissioner Partridge's letter says tha'. 10
furnish the same amount of protectlon oy d
three platoon system as is now furnlsheo oS
the two platoon system would require an IN
crease Of at least % per cent in the force. at
an additional annual expense of about SZ'Voo'ooo.
He believes that the two platoon system can
be remodelIed somewhat in the interest of the
patrolmen without much decreasing the efi-
cheney of the service; but, pending the report
of the commission. he has refrained from trying
such a system. The three platoon system per-
mitted only 1856 men on patrol in the night
time and left the stations without adequate
reserves, he says. while the two platoon sys-
TEN gives night patrol force Of 2.162 men and
a sufficient reserve. The remodelled two pla-
toon system would give night patrol OF 1o9-
men and sufficient reserve at all stations
General Avery D. Andrews could not sign the
report as he is in Europe Recommendations
on which the other members of the commission
were agreed may be summarized as follows:
CHARGES against roundsnen and patrolmen
shall be investigated by an inspector, TO be de-
tailed for the trials from month to month. his
findings to be reviewed by the Commissioner
There shall be a general inspector, who shall
have general supervision OF the force to be de-
tailed at the pleasure of the Commissioner from
among the inspectors ana subject 10 reassIsn sa g
ment at any time his salary 10 be So,oro
year while serving as the general inspector.
There shall be a second general Inspector
for the boroughs Of Brooklyn and queens. with
q salary of 5000.
There shall be third general inspector in
charge of the detectives. TO be known as tho
500 S95s1 0' DS's''''sS '''0 '''
The pension provisions should be changed. so
that policemen may be retired on pensions mot
exceeding one-half'' their annual salaries, in
stead Of on pensions mot less than one-half"
their salaries. Police pensioners employed by
the city shall have their pensions suspended
during such service All policemen. even vet
Grams must be retired at the age OF sixtyfour
If policemen marry after being retired on pen
The City Chamberlain shall be the trustee and
treasurer OF the police pension fund
The House of Detention for Witnesses shall
be under the control and management Of the
District Attorney.
The designation lieutenant shall be sub
stituted for Sergeant" and sergeant for
"roundsman." but the change in designation
shall carry with It no increase in salary
Skilled men Of experience may be appointed
detectives, although rot qualified for appoint
ment patromen.
system for recording meritorious service Of
proval OF the Civil Service Commission. the
record to determine merit and fitness OF candi-
dates for promotion.
Every member of the force indicted by
grand jury shall be suspended Immediately,
without pay. and in case Of conviction shall for
felt all salary during the time or suspension.
At the end of the report are some words OF
praise for the rank and file OF the police force,
follows:
In conclusion. the commission have no hesita-
ton in saying that the police force of the city
OF New-York has in It's composition elements
sufficient to make 1t the finest body of the kind
existing anywhere. large majority OF the
force who will respond almost imme-
diately to the leadership of who is. in their
opinion pathetic he IS just. and one
who realizes that he a duty them only
less in Importance than that the public.
And no matter how perfect the system Of law is
under which the commissioner acts a salts
factory administration of the department must
always depend upon the ability Of It's executive.