New-York tribune., 1905-02-01
POLICE AND PEOPLE.

The Chamber Of Commerce conference on po-
lice problems approached the subject In the
right spirit. II the committee is guided by the
expressions OF opinion at the meeting, it will
seek a radical reorganization of the whole police
system. There is a great deal of truth in the
view that the Police Commissioner has too
little control over the men. Something proba-
bly, would be accomplished suggested by
giving the Commissioner longer tenure Yet
the trouble does not seem chiefly to lie in that
direction. Commissioners Partridge. Greene and
McAdoo have pursued in essence a continu-
GUS policy for the enforcement of the law and
the breaking of the financial bond between
criminals and police. Yet at the end of II the
police force Is demoreZed and untrustworthy
Great injury has been caused by the restoration
TO duty of officers dismissed for cause, and it
is obvious that way must be found to pre-
vent the ruin Of all discipline by the courts
Perhaps the recent decision Of the Court of
Appeals may mark new departure in the atti-
tude Of the bench and may point out methods
Of procedure by which a commissioner can
safely dismiss incompetent officers and maintain
effective discipline. If 1t does not then the com
mittee will wisely seek legislative restriction
upon the judicial review which is now firmly
founded in custom, though it is doubtful if it
was ever meant TO be conferred by the law
fixing police tenures
the laws governing police administration is be-
yond question. Perhaps there is merit in the
suggestion that the police should concern them
selves with open lawlessDess and protect the
peace and safety of the community, and not
attempt to regulate its morals, though 1t Is diff
fcult to cay at just what point eyes should
be shut to crinlnally immoral transactions. II
the committee can give better system for
enforcing discipline and schedule of police
duties that will protect the public without Civ
ing so large an opportunity for bIackmail it
will do good service to the city. Yet we fear
that the most perfect code and the most Der
feet administration will never solve the police
problem until there is reform in the commu-
nifty as well as in the police. The best police
force in the world would not give good service
here for any length of time, simply because the
people do not want good service Our law
breakers are not SO much the so-called criminal
classes as the great body Of citizens whose ex-
aggerated sense OF individualism makes them
impatient of police regulations AS Burke did
not know how TO draw an indictment against
a whole people, a good policeman does not
know how to protect city from the lawbreak-
ing or It's whole people, and he soon ceases Ia
think first that laws are really meant to be
enforced ahG then that he need even obey them
himself.
Until the bulk of the community is raadr 20
cooperate with the police in doing if M
law VIII make the police do their duty. Take
the excise law. for instance. Whatever NAV be
the other evils of the Ranes law hotels they
! give ample opportunity for the lawful indul-
eence Of the appetite for Sunday drink. Yet
that fact does not In the least lead the public
| TO support efforts to close other places forbid
den by law to sell on Sunday. II general sell
ing was allowed for half OF Sunday, does any