The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-04
Policeman Cunningham Found
Guilty Of Taking Drink
ACT OF POLICE COMMISSION
Three Of the Five Commissioners VIII
Hereafter Favor ExpeIllng an
Officer Who Takes a Drink
While on Duty.

At the meeting of the police commits
sion yesterday afternoon Policeman Joe
Cunningham was suspended from duty
for 80 days on two charges, one of TAX
ing drink while on duty and the other
Of not properly patroling his beat. The
charges were preferred against him by
Chief Of Police Austin, his attention be-
ing called to the condition of the po-
liceman by Lieutenant Johnston.
After the trial three Of the five police
commissioners present stated that in the
future they would be in favor OF firing
man bodily from the force when 1t was
proven that he had taken a drink on
duty, or was under the effects of in
toxicants. These statements were lead
by former Chairman McCary who said
he thought the commission had been too
easy on the policemen In the past, and
that in his opinion they were not very
much afraid of being brought before
the commission on charge Of being
drunk or drinking.
He said in the future he would vote
to expell the man and that he wanted
to go on record as having made that
statement.
Commissioner Mobley stated that had
he not known for some time of the physi-
cal condition of Policeman Cunningham
he would have voted to expell him, and
that in the future he would always cast
his vote. no matter what the mitigating
circumstances, to expell any policeman
who was caught taking a drink while
on duty, or who was under the effects of
intoxicants. Chairman Rudolph signifed
that he was pleased with the decision of
the commissioners and that he felt the
same way.
Suspended Last Thursday.
On last Thursday night Policeman
Cunningham was suspended by Chief
Austin and charged with being intox-
icated and not properly patroling his
beat Cunningham admitted having taken
drink III a bar on South Twen-
tieth street where he was working and
stated that his physical condition was
such that he was unable to stand UP un-
der the work on that night without
little stimulant
At the trial yesterday afternoon he had
several witnesses who stated that he was
in a serious condition physically, and
that in their opinion he was not drunk
en- the night ne was suspended. They also
stated that he had taken the drink, sew
cral having seen him do so.
Chief Austin and Lieutenant Johnston
stated that the policeman was evident
ly under the effects of intoxicsnts, and
that he had staggered as he walked
They stated he was not fit 20 90 duty a.
a patrolman when they saw him. He adj
mitted that he was In a very bad condi-
tion, and that ne had stayed on the cor
ner of Twentieth street and Avenue A
willie his co-worker went around and
tried the doors to see If everything was
all right.
Has Served the City.
Cunningham stated he had served the
city faithfully for a number of years, and
asked the police commission to deal as
lightly with him as possible Commission
er Stradford then moved that a nuspen-
sion of fifteen days for both charges be
made. He was seconded by Commission
err Parker. Mobley moved as a substitute
that the suspension be made thirty days
for both offenses. When put to a Vote
Parker and Stradford voted no and Ru-
dolph, Mobley and McCary voted aye. 1t
was carried. The commissioners unani-
mously found him guilty of taking a
drink on duty and the majority voted that
he was not capable Of patro1lng his beat
on the night In question.
The commission decided to allow Po-
liceman Morrell one-half pay for period
of several days during which he was
sick. They also allowed Policeman Gull
pepper one-half pay for the time he has
been unable to work on account OF in
juries received about one month ago
while in performance of his duty.