Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-11
PROCEDURE IN TRIALS
METHOD EMPLOYED IN FOLICE
HEARINGS UNSATISFACTORY.

Police trials during the past year were so
numerous and much time Of police Off
Gals was consumed in the hearings that
Maj. Sylvester has about concluded that
something should be done to change the
present method of dealing with the officers
for violations of the rules of the depart
ment There were three trials during the
past year which consumed many days of
the time of two police officials, the assist
ant corporation counsel and stenographer,
and, in addition, Mai Sylvester had to read
over the testimony. Several hundred type
written pages of evidence resulted from the
three trials and, on account of the time
quired to take this testimony and go over
it, the dragged along for weeks be-
fore they were finally disposed of.
1t is the desire of the superintendent of
police to Kave the trials of police officers
to occur as court trials are conducted and
have them disposed of speedily. Under
the present system he finds it impossible to
do this.
Matter of Discipline.
In his report for last year he called at
tention to the matter of discipline as fol-
lows:
THE force having reached some proper
tions as body of men, it would be unrea-
sonable not to expect breaches of disci-
pline. Minor infractions of the rules of the
intendent, but where circumstances were
such as to warrant hearings the same have
been had before trial board composed of
an assistant corporation counsel, captain
and lieutenant of police and the proceed
ings forwarded to the Commissioners for
approval. The process is slow and, in
measure. cumbersome and does not obtain
in other departments Nowhere is the ac-
cused accorded the recording and review
which is had in this department. Cases are
not disposed of off-hand or by single trial
officer insuring fairness to the accused, al
though much of the time of the superin-
tendent is consumed in reviewing the testi-
mony.
Justice and discipline administered
promptly is most effective. Where delays
occur the organization must suffer 1t is
not always convenient for the assistant cor
poration counsel to give attention TO this
work owing to pressure In other lines, and
the result is cases have been delayed
hearing for weeks If not months, and 1t is
to the detriment of the police institution.
"One hundred and fifty members of the
force appeared before this tribunal during
the year, charges not being sustained IN
thrty-eigft cases. Penalties ranging from
deprivations of annual leave to removal
were imposed"
Prospective Legislation.
While there is but little said In the an
nual report about a change in the method
of trying policemen there is such a provis-
ion contained in the bill that was recently
introduced by Representative Babcock. The
provision In the bill authorizes the Com
,nissioners to create one or more trial board
or boards to be composed of such number
of persons as the Commissioners may ap-
point thereto, for the trial of officers and
members of the police force; and the Com
missioners are also authorized and empow-
cred 10 make and amend rules of procedure
before such trial board or boards, and to
change or abolish any such trial board or
boards as they deem proper" and the
Commissioners are granted absolute, eX-
elusive and final jurisdiction to review, APP
prove reverse amend, alter or change any
sentence or finding of such trial board or
boards Provided, that the Commissioners
shall not be required, in their view of the
sentences and findings of such trial board
or boards to take evidence, either oral.
written or documentary, nor hear counsel,
and they shall have power to remand any
case against any officer or member of the
police force to such board or boards for
such further proceedings as they may deem
necessary"
In the event of the passage of the bill it is
believed the Commissioners will change
the method of conducting the trials. 1t is
said there are some provisions of the
bin that are Objectionable to many mem
bers of the force and that they will make
a fight against IT,