The San Francisco call., 1904-03-15
COMMISSIONERS
FINE OFFICERS
Severe Punishment Is Melted
Out to Policemen Who Wis
tied Emeryville Racetrack
LOSE HALF MONTHS PAY
Lieutenant Joseph Burnett's
Plea of Not Guilty" Is
Not Accepted by the Board

The Board of Police Commissioners
at a. meeting last night passed SEN
tence upon nine patrolmen and one
lieutenant of police who visited the
Emeryville racetrack on the afternoon
of March 5. Each of the men was fined
a half months pay, which amounts TO
$50 in the case of each patrolman and
$40 in the case of the lieutenant.
The particular charge upon which
the men were convicted was leaving
the city and county of San Francisco
without permission from the Chief of
Police. All of the patrOlmen pleaded
guilty to the accusation and threw them
selves on the mercy of the board after
having made an explanation. Lieuten-
ant Burnett, however. who is one of
the best officers on the force and who
is next in line for the rank of captain,
pleaded not, guilty to the charge and
produced testimony in support Of his
denial. Notwithstanding this he was
convicted and fined with the others who
appeared before the commission.
OFFENDERS ARE TRAPPED.
On March the various police cap
tains visited the race track for the
purpose of trapping policemen who at
tended it, They found Patrolmen
John A. Annear. John ]. Crowley.
Peter j. Whalen, Thomas F. Byrne,
Patrick Curry, John L. Mangan, John
b Collins. Patrick 3. Mahoney, Jere-
miah Nj. Dwyer and Lieutenant Jo-
seph ]. Burnett on the premises and
reported the same to Chief Whitman.
On their reports charges were pre-
ferred against the various men and
their cases were called last night.
In extenuation of the Offense, each
patrolman offered an excuse. Some said
they went across the bay for recrea-
ton. it being their time off duty, others
that they had tips" and desired to
play. and more that they thought that
their time. when not spent in serving
the city. was their own and subject
tn their own pleasure. They all plead
ed guilty to having violated section
of rule so. which provides that no po-
lice officer shall leave the city without
permission. The testimony of the cap
tains showed the accused to be ex-
cellent officers, and for a time it ap-
peared that the Commissioners would
pass the offense with a reprimand.
PLEADS mot GUILTY"
Lieutenant Burnett. however, plead
ed mot guilty" and called Captain
Norman. chief clerk to the Chief of Po-
lice. to the stand to prove that the lat
ter had given him permission to visit
Alameda County on the afternoon of
March 5. Chief Whitman testified that
he had vested Norman with authority
TO grant leaves of absence during his
absence, but in the face of this Bur
nett was found guilty and must forfeit
half a months pay. The same action
was taken in the other cases.
Special Officer p. d. Linville, who
has been a familiar figure on Kearny
street for the last twenty years, was
deprived of his star, it being found
that he had not performed his duty I'm
OBTAINING man who had assaulted
Captain of Police Thomas Duke. The
captain was in citizens clothes when
he became involved in struggle while
attempting to quell disturbance. and
one man that kicked and threw him
started to run away. Linville cap
tured this man; but released him from
custody before the captain could re-
gain his feet.