Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-23
POLICE JURISDICTION
Extracts From Major Sylves-
ter's Annual Report.
THE AREA PATROLLED
FORCE SAID TO BE ENTIRELY IN
ADEQUATE FOR DUTIES.
Post Assignments Of Policemen-Hard-
Worked Captains-Pay in
Other Localities.
THE AREA PATROLLED


Other Localities.
In the annual report of the superintendent
of police to the District Commissioners Maj.
Sylvester says, among other things:
THE metropolitan police jurisdiction in
cIudes the entire District of Columbia,
wherein are located the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown and many suburban
villages, including Anacostia, which is
across the Eastern branch of the Potomac
river: Takoma, Benning, Deanewood, Con-
gress Heights. Brightwood, Cleveland Park,
American University Park, Chevy Chase,
Mount Pleasant, Brookland and other
thickly settled communities. This immense
and well-populated territory, embracing
nearly 200 miles of roads, has never been
patrolled and guarded by an adequate po-
lice force, considered from a numerical
standpoint. The third largest police do
main in the United States, with it's impor-
tant and valuable interests has been cared
for by organization too much out or
proportion to afford unquestioned security
to life and property therein. 1t Is the only
territory in the United States having mu-
nicipal police patrol.
Extent of the Force.
ION the 3Oth day Of June 1904, the Dis
trict of Columbia had police force Of 6S6
officers and privates, which was distributed
as follows: At headquarters, one major and
superintendent; captain and assistant su-
perintendent, in charge of the detective bu-
reau; another captain, looking after the
horses, vehicles and other properties or
the department, the uniforming and supply
ing of the force. the condition of the build
ings, trials of members for breaches of dis
;1n. 1T
other captain, engaged in receiving COM
plants, making details, transfers, giving
information, carrying out assignments,
transmitting orders, and TWO more observ-
ing performance of duty on the part Of the
privates, investigating complaints, serving
as trial officers in the enforcement of dis
cipline, and examining into precinct condi-
tons.
sergeants and 615 privates in the force, but
all of these were not available for patrol
duty. the number being reduced 101 by de-
tails, exclusive of twenty doing detective
service and Seventy-one on post duty as
signments. simple mathematical process
would reduce the available force for street
patrol, bicycle work and mounted service
in the suburbs to 423, from which those
sick, numbering twenty-three and those on
leave under the law, and suspended, one,
thirty should be taken, leaving in round
numbers 369.
Post Assignments.
Post assignments of policemen are made
as follows:
Arlington Hotel and vicinity, 2; Baltimore
and Ohio depot. 3 Baltimore and Potomac
depot, 2; Brookland, 2; Brightwood, 2; Cen
ter market, 1; Cleveland Park, 3; Deane-
wood 1; lexington. 1: 18th and H streets
northeast 1; filtration 1T plant 2; Long
sets avenue, 22d street to Rock creek
northwest, 1; new bridge, 3; precinct de-
tectives, 8; post office, 2; patrol wagons. 20;
railway tunnel, 1; Takoma. 2: Tenley l;
L; turnkey, L; wharves. 3; Willard Hotel
and vicinity, 2; total. II.
Captain and Assistant Superintendent
by law approved February %, 1901,
captain and assistant superintendent was
provided, and he has been assigned to the
supervision of the most important aux
Hilary Of the department-the detective bu-
reau-for the conduct Of which the major
and superintendent is held responsible in
this jurisdiction. The wisdom of this as
signment may be better understood when
it is known that the official in charge there
of is, in business relationship and rank,
the closest official to the chief of the force,
and upon him rests the responsibility of
caring for the skilled work in the detection
of crime and the apprehension of criminals.
THE pay of this official Is $500 per an
mum, and when the cost of living and the
financial demands made upon him are taken
into consideration, his salary is not in ac-
cord with those paid by well regulated bust
ness firms or corporations. The pay of like
officer in st. Louis, Mo, who, however, does
not have the rank and duties of assistant
superintendent, is $500; Chicago Ill, cap
tains, $3.50; Cincinnati Ohio, $1,000; De-
troit, Mich, 1000; San Francisco, Cal, 3d.
0O0
There are four captains and If it should
become necessary at any time to call out
t1,n two nF hn Net rtn nph of
them would have more than $50 privates
under him, which would appear reckless
and inexpedient to any one familiar with
organizations, as such an officer should
not be expected to properly control and di-
rect the movements of more than 100 men.
Find Plenty to Do.
at is not an exaggeration of the facts
when 1 say that these captains have their
time fully occupied, and not infrequently
give unusual service for the benefit of the
department interests. An inspection of
these officers at any time will verify what
1 have stated about the unusual demands
upon them, which require intelligent &C
ton and thorough acquaintance with the
laws and regulations governing the Dis
trict of Columbia.
1.-The District of Columbia is not divided
into police districts like other police juris-
dictions, but into precincts with view to
giving to persons and property located
in charge thereof are known as lieutenants,
and are supposed to be on duty at all times.
They must see that the sergeants and pri-
Yates in their respective commands comply
with the various regulations as set forth
in the manual that they enforce the hun
dreds of police regulations and laws per-
tanning to the city and suburbs and are
held strictly accountable for prompt COM
pliance with all the requirements laid down
for their government.
Many improvements have increased the
demands made upon the police force OF
the District, such as to necessitate more
exacting attention, longer and continuous
hours, the expenditure of greater energy
than was the case fifteen years ago, when
their pay was made 1890 a year. Their
duties correspond to those of the captains
in other ciNes and their pay should be
more commensurate with the duties en-
Joined on them
1T is recommended that their salary be
increased to 81 500 per annum each. AS to
the other cities. l have but to refer to Chi
cago, ILL.,, 81 500: st. Louis, Mo-, $500;
Minneapolis, Mimi, $1,1O0, and San Fran
cisco, Cal, $1,6S0.
1.-The same conditions exist with refer
ence to the sergeants, who are now receiv-
Ing 81, 40 per annurn each instead of 81 200,
which / have recommended.
Dow Il, Other localities