Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-16
LOCAL DEPARTMENT RANKS
WITH THE BEST
ENJOYS GREAT DISTINCTION
Few Cities May We with Los Angeles
Record for Freedom From Crime
and Lawlessness

In the organization of government for
the city and this protection is obtained
through the organization Of the police
department, wherein few more than 200
men are charged with a great task and
are thrown into daily contact and asso-
citation with practically every citizen
and his family.
How many realize the Importance of
the police department unless occasion
unfortunately makes necessary that It
be called upon for assistance in emer-
gencies? How many of the citizens OF
Los Angeles really realize that the
blue-coated cop" is. figuratively speak
ing, never asleep, that he may exercise
a watchful care and protection over the
lives of the citizen and his family and
his property? Withal, no other public
servant receives as little appreciation
for mis- efforts, so little thanks for the
services performed and taken as a MAJ
ter of course or is 'cussed" oftener AMI
more loudly than the good d-naturod
policeman who jogs up and down his
beat by night and by day, exercising a
guardianship over a city of over 100000
souls, which guarantees the peace Of
the community, it's immunity from law
lessness and protection against the evils
and dangers which beset the man and
his family at every turn.
Freedom From Crime
Less than one policeman for every
1000 souls in Los Angeles is the size of
the municipal army, a far smaller pro-
portion than prevails in the majority OF
cities, and yet few municipalities are
able to vie with Los Angeles in its
freedom from crime and lawlessness.
Chief w. A. Hammel, who recently
returned from a convention of chiefs
of police at Washington, D. c., brought
the good news that his observations
resulted in an increased good opinion
of his own force and it's effectiveness
under all circumstances and in all
emergencies. That Chief Hammel is 6
competent and capable chief of the
local army of peace guardians is not 10
be gainsaid. His opinion is, therefore,
not subject to discount and is worthy
of consideration because prejudice does
not enter into the formation of his
opinion. He said
After having visited several of the
larger eastern cities 1 return to Los
Angeles with increased good opinion
of the local police department and it's
effectiveness at all times and under
all conditions.
Los Angeles is worthy of emulation
by larger cities in the organization
and conduct of it's police department.
Many cities possess greater facilities
for coping with crime, pay better SAL
aries. have larger forces proportionate-
ly and are better equipped in some in
stances, but none are better organ
lied, have better men from all points
of view nor can make a better showing
in the suppression of crime and the
maintenance of peace and order than
the Los Angeles police department,
and 1 am proud of this fact and that
1 am chief of such an efficient force"
Force Thoroughly Organized
Thorough organization is the foun-
dation of the Los Angeles police de-
partment, while discipline, together
with the application of civil service
rules to prevent the discharge of an
officer for other than reasons of pro-
noting the good of the service, form
the links in the chain of successes
which go to make the local department
a pride not only of the Angeleno, but
OF every visitor who observes the un-
usually good conditions which prevail
in this thoroughly cosmopolitan city.
Brain and Drawn are essentials to
employment as policemen. A man must
possess an education and be of a GER
tain physical standard before he can
become a member of Los Angeles
Finest" These are the essentials.
Other requirements are good character.
citizenship, acquaintance with the
city locations and ability to act intel
ligently in all emergencies, with an
honest regard for the rights of every
citizen and stranger.
Policemen are given a grilllng exam
ination before they are permitted to
pass to the list of eligibles and any
one who has ever read the 1901 ques-
tions asked of applicants and given
them any thought viii testify that it is
a bigger job to become a policeman
than 1t is to obtain fat political ap-
pointment.
In short, it is almost necessary for
him to be a native son. college grad
uate and an athlete. These are some of
the reasons which have resulted In CIV
ing to Los Angeles one of the best or
ganized, best equipped and most ef-
ficient police departments In the United
States.
Educated Policemen
Probably the local force can boast
OF more professional men in it's ranks
than any city in the country, proper
tionately at least. Four doctors. twelve
lawyers, several electricians and two