The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-20
POLICE REFORM BILLS OUT.
cur OFF EXCISE AND VICE GRAFT
FROM PRECINCT FORCE.
create Central Omoe Woe bureau
Abolish Permanent Detective Force
Make = New One. ChangeabiS at
Any nme-RestOre Uniformed Chief.

faTy. ]. IuOlON NnTlbIlt, gave OUT laht
evening a preliminary report OF its sug-
ge.tions for the reorganization Of the Police
Uepartment Copies Of the bill drawn by
the committee which il is expected will he
introduced in the Legislature tonight,
we're also furnished.
Tho bill amends the Charter and pro-
vides.
I That the administrative and super
yisory functions Of the Commissioner he
separated from those that. in the sense Of
involving command Of the force, arc purely
executive. and that the latter be vested
In uniformed Chief Inspector
That the Chief Inspector be given the
mower Of assignment and transfer OF the
men and be made responsible for the EN-
cheney Of the force, but that the Commits
soners own general responsibility be con-
tlnued by making the chief inspectorship
an assignment for an indefinite period,
reyocabe at the will OF the Commissioner.
That provision be made for q trial deputy
and for broadening the powers OF the Com
missioner in furnishing breaches OF disci-
rIne That salaries Of Commissioner and
Deputy Commissioners be increased.
/? That the present detective bureau
lie abolished and its members remanded TO
polica duty, except that members Of ten
years service may, when they retire. retire
on the pension Of a sergeant; that a new
bureau be organized for detective service,
the members OF which shall be drawn from
snd be subject to return to the uniformed
force; that the members shall neither gain
nor lose In their eligibility for promotion
because Of service in the new bureau, and
that there shall be grades Of pay in the
bureau &C oording TO proven efficiency.
s. That a special bureau DO organized
charged with the duty OF detecting vio-
lations OF the excise laws and Of the laws
against gambling and disorderly houses
that. with respect TO violations OF these
laws, the Commissioner be empowered 10
limit the duties Of the uniformed men 20
the preservation Of public order and
decency.
The proposed Increase OF salaries H.:
Commissioner, $1,000. instead OF 1890;
tisl deputies, 1000; other deputies. 5000.
The bill also requires a record to be kept
Of meritorious services as well as proved
charges, makes ineficienoy a cause for
punishment and provides for trials at least
onoe a week In each borough. To the
punishments now permitted IL added pun
lshment by reduction in rank or grade.
The committee reports adversely on the
snroposition 10 take away the power OF re-
moving the Commissioner from the Mayor
and on the proposition 10 abofish appeals
10 the civil courts from the decisions Of the
Commissioner on trials. Il says; out Of
lls removals In 1--WE years only per cent.
n the men dismissed have been reinst6ted
inasmuoh Is the right Of certioran IL 40
corded by the Charter to all veterans and
hrsrnsn and teachers It Is obvious that any
change In the law should affect all alike.
Again, it Il the general desire to keep the
force a. free a. possible from local politics,
which now intsrferes with transfers and
assignments. The right Of appeal oonsti-
tutes . valuable protection against im-
proper political Influences
Commissioner MoAdoo and former Com
missioners Greene and Partridge united
In urging a return TO the system which pre-
vailed prior to 1901 whereby the executive
head Of the force was free to transfer to
detective service any members Of the force
md 10 remand them at will to ordinary
police duty. Tbs report further says that
there Il practically a unanimity Of opinion
that the change made in the law four year,
ago whereby a man detailed 70 the detective
force became a permanent member Of II
as sergeant OF police had worked disas-
trously.
In commenting on the amendment to
establish q separate bureau for excise
law violations and disorderly house cases
the report says;
Opinions diverEe widely in this city as to
the extent 10 which certain laws should be
enforced In this divergence a corrupt
captain finds his opportunity. By his per-
mission vice hourishes in his precinct by his
will IL ia depressed.
We propose TO take away from the captain
that power 10 protect which gives him the
poser 10 exact. and TO relieve the force 40 a
whole from duties the performance OF which
las been he source Of 80 much corrupt. N.
The present system involves the selection
b. the captains Of men known az wardmen
and creates a connection between the system
OF vice and the system OF protection. We
desire TO see this connection abolished 80 far
~ n Is possible TO do so. u is obvious that
N the power 90 protect be taken away from
corrupt police captains the inducement 70
eheuders TO pay money to them will be re-
bowed We would also take from the uni
formed police the duty now imposed by law
TO observe and inspect Illegal resorts. The
Present system has developed tendency 20
AVeoIN 70 lAWless methOuh. ~ mas DeSViHe
common practice 20 make arrests without
warrants. not only when no crime has been
committed in the presence Of the ohhcer
hAking the arrest. but when there IL no
feason for a belief that a crime has been
committed. Domiciliary visits by the police
without warrant are not recognized by the
hW Of the land. The statutory duty TO Job
serve and inspect" Illegal resorts Is often
made the excuse for such practices. We
lfopose that these powers shall be exercised
bytht Commissioner throu Oh a special bureau.
Ibis plan OF centraliEing the duty Of de-
Hoting these offences in a special bureau is
simple, and, we believe. a sound method OF
sealing With the most serious evil anesttnE
0e police.
Under the bill the Commissioner may
.slegate the power 10 any deputy Of not only
Earring charges against policemen but OF
hing the punishment, the Commissioner
s'aining the right Of review. In the mat
W OF promotion the efficiency record Of
.ch candidate, including particular acts
personal bravery, shall be treated as an
sement In the examination, the relative
ntlng for It to be fixed by the Municipal
WI Service Commission.
The Chief Inspector is TO be detailed
rem among the inspectors and cap