Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-01-22
POLICEnEN'S POSITIONS.
Some Think Men Are Held Up t
 Ridicule- Defects flagnified.

A citizen whose name is. more prominent on the grand list than in politics or public matters, though he keeps close watch on the latter, par ucularly when upheavals are immin- ent, spoke as follows to a Democrat reporter this morning. It may be said that he is only one of great many who have similarly expressed themselves:
 T consider the examination by the board of public safety of certain po- licemen very detrimental to the police department and against the best in terest of the taxpayers and the city. A policeman, as rule. has quite 8 number of enemies because he puts forth all his energies to maintain the law. But when his superior officers subject him to an examination such as has appeared in the public press it holds a policeman up to public ridi- cuie and their defects are magnified and bye-words made of their afflic- tions by the very persons who should have a wholesome fear of and are spect for the police force.
 ''The board of public safety have no right to hold such inquiries and sub- ject policemen to be sworn without permitting them to be represented by counsel
 ''How would MT Beach, the induis- itor of the board, like to be brought into the superior court and placed on trial without being represented by counsel, and compelled to answer questions with an object of removing him from a position Of trust without an opportunity of being properly rep resented by a competent advisor? Proceedings of this character were inaugurated in New York city by the administration of Mayor Strong and policemen were placed on trial the same as they have been here by the board of public safety. and the court of appeals of the state of New York said the police commissioners of New York were wrong: that every public officer had an opportunity to be heard in his own defense and be represented by counsel.
 sThe board of public safety never Waterbury by holding its policemen up to public contempt or subject them to an examination that tends in
 
 These men were appointed some years ago and have been doing duty under republican and democratic ad- ministrations. and have rendered good service to the city on several oc- casions. and now it is proposed by an examination by the board of safety, for some purpose contrary to the spirit of appreciation of officers loyal to the interests of the city, to subject them to inquiry that will demoralize the en- tira police force.
 'If the men are incompetent, the board should say so in so many words, but don't go over and into an examin- ation for the purpose of dismissing them If certain policemen have vio- lated the law or rules of the depart ment fine, suspend or dismiss them as the case may require. but don't make them appear ridiculous in the eyes of the community.
 ''It is an old saying that q policeman is kicked if he performs his duty and he is kicked if he don't perform his duty. but when he has acted faith fully for the city for years the action of the board of safety in disclosing his physical defects for the purpose of dismissing him is entirely out or place and not in keeping with good order or discipline How can the board of public safety expect good dis cipline of the police department when they fail to show proper discipline themselves? It Is the duty Of the board of safety to encourage the pc liceman in the performance of his duty and not seek way to condemn him. Mayor Elton owes a duty to the public, irrespective of party, to checkmate this inquiry by the board of safety that has more political sig nifcance than the improvement of the police force.
 sI,ook at the action of the board of safety in relieving Detective O'Gor- man from detective duty. A good officer, a bright detective, always did his duty. relieved and put back into the ranks for no reason. Is that the. way that this new administration pro- poses to reform the police force and make it Independent and fearless of the politician. or is it move to make each policeman political henchman of the republican machinew