Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-04-11
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
MT sedgwick Was Not Ready to Make
 Charges Thursday Night.

SS'o WlA bc pIelefr0Q agalnSt CRY- taln police officers" Thus spoke Judge Peasley at meeting of the board of pupIlc safety on Thursday evening in answer to a question from Commis- sloner Beach If he were sure charges would be preferred against certain members of the police department. under ordinary circumstances the aDoVe statement of Judge Peasley would produce a big sensation. But there have been so many rumors and reports in the air during the past week or two of charges which were to be brought against the police that the police have been expecting them to crop out at any time.
 Every member of the board was in ms seat when the meeting was called 70 order. In the absence of Mayor hllduH Commissioner Lahey was ap- pointed chairman pro tenn The first business of the meeting was the hear Ing of Benjamin Sedgwick of South Main street in regard to allegations Which he made against certain police oncefs. MT Sedgwick was present ana so was Judge Peasley who repre- setted him. The lattef said that With the permission of the board he would like to make statement. His statement was as follows: The Citf- zens' league is making an investigation or numerous reports many of which are about the same matter in which MT SedgWick is interested. Specific charges may be brought against cer- tam officers. Here Commissioners Hardie. interrupted to ask the chair what the board had to do with the Friendly league or the Citizens alli- ance? He thought that it was the Sedgwick matter that the board WAS dealing with. Chairman Lahey re- piled that Judge Peasley's remarks were pertinent to the subject under consideration and he couldn't see why there should be any objection. This satisfied Commissioner Harlie. Judge Peasley continued: If these charges are brought MT Sedgwick will be a witness. It seems to me desirable that the evidence should be presented in a regular and proper manner and not be threshed out. I should think the board would want it that way. MT SedgW1ck's appearance tonight would inJure the cases of those who intend to prosecute. l would request, therefore, that the matter be put over until an- other meeting. Commissioner Lahey thought that the board should have been notified beforehand as 1t was for the purpose of hearing MT Sedgwick that the meeting was called. Commis- sioner Taylor thought that by the granting of a delay the charges would be put into better shape, 1t would be the best policy for the board to post pone consideration of the matter. Judge Peasley stated that he knew the members of the board would be willing to suffer 8 little inconvenience in or der that the charges may be specific and may be presented to the board in writing Commissioner Beach at this point asked Judge Peasley if he was prepared to say without doubt that charges against certain police officers would be preferred. The judge re- piled that there was no doubt in his mind that such charges would be pre- ferred.
 Commissioner Beach, tHow much time do you wantT
 Judge Peasley-sI would like to ask when does the board hold it's next meet ing7'
 When informed of the boards next meeting being on next Tuesday night, Judge Peasley said that he would try and have the charges ready by that time although 1t was rather short mo- tice.
 Tn reply to question from Chairman Lahey MT Sedgwick said that he had written the article which caused so much discussion. MT ,Sedgwick fur thermore said that he intended to per Sona1lv f0 present charpea
 Commissioner Hardie here remarked that MT Sedgwick's charge was a seri- ous one, and it attacked the whole po- lice department. MT Sedgwick re- piled: "In justice to myself would state that haven't criticized the whole department but those officers who know haven't done their duty"
 There were a few more remarks in regard to the matter and then the hear ing was closed
 Written charges against officers No 30 and 35, John Bowling and Samuel Walsh were then read They were preferred by Stephen McDonough of Naugatuck. who claims to have been severely treated at the hands of the above officers at the scene of the wreck Oll LuG 1NduSdLuCh uAf10AOA ldot WOCAs Next Tuesday was set as date for the hearing of the charges.
 The charges against William Cog gins were then heard. He was charged with being absent from duty without leave on April 4, 5 and 6, also on April T and g. also with leaving the city without permission on April s. The two last charges were preferred against the officer at the meeting on Thursday night by Chief Egan. The first charge had been made at previ- ous meeting. Tn reply to question from Chairman Lahey the accused off, cer said that he was ready for hear ing on all three charges and that he waived all rights in regard to the serv- ing of notices of the second charges He did not care to have the hearing postponed.
 After hearing the evidence of tue officer and the charges by the chief the hearing was closed soon after and then the board went into executive session. For being absent from duty the ac- cused officer was reduced from grade c to grade A and for leaving the city without permission he was fined thirty days pay or $67.50. An officer in
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