Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-29
ONE-MAN TRIAL BOARD
RECOMMENDATION In REFER
ENcE TO POLICE DEPARTMENT.

II Is said to be likely that one-man trial
board will be established by the Commits
sioners to dispose of all cases wherein po-
lfcemen are charged with violations of the
| department rules. Commissioner West Is
advocating the change and Mai. Sylvester.
chief of police. is in favor of it. Such a
/ method would expedite matters. 1t is stated
and one-man trial boards exist in many of
the other large cities.
The Commissioners, believing that the
present procedure is fruitful of unnecessary
delays. decided that change should be
/ made. and directed Maj. Sylvester to re-
erence to the trial board and to suggest
means of expediting matters.
About ten days ago. when the Commits
sloners gave the directions to the superin-
tendent, an examination of the list of
trial board cases now pending showed
the number to be forty-five. Some of
them are important and some are triv-
ial, but Commissioner West. who has
supervision over the police department.
contends that all of the cases should have
been disposed of months ago. Between
now and the time one-man trial board is
established, if at all, the present board
will be reo:ganized with an additional
member. The latter will be Lieut.. w. F.
talvey of the ninth precinct. He will be
the only police member of the board be-
low the rank of captain.
Opinion of Commissioner West.
Commissioner West is of the opinion
that the police trial board is handicapped
by the taking of much unnecessary testi-
mony. the trying of trivial offenses at
length, and the taking of voluminous notes
by the official stenogra pliers, which causes
delay because they have to be Transcribed
before the board can make disposition of
the cases.
Commissioner West believes the proposed
method would be better for the accused po-
liceman and would prove more satisfactory
to the general public.
1T would at least tend to expedite mat
tiers" Commissioner West said.
Ma Jor Sylvester in his report to the Com
misSiOnerS said:
The attention of the Commissioners was
invited to the congestion that resulted in
delays In the contamination of cases of dis
clphne which had been placed before the
trial board by the major and superintendent
of police, who realized that the ends de-
sired to be obtained-prompt imposition of
penalties for derelictions-were not forth
coming.
I'm the main these delays are attributable
to the inability of the department to OBJ
tain and retain stenographers for the work
at the compensation allowed for such serv-
ice-S9oo per annum. No sooner is a com
petent stenographer obtained and acquires
the speed required for taking testimony
than higher pay is held out to him by the
general government or by individuals.
AueSe young men nave the Endorsement OF
the department to their faithfulness and
ability. and it goes without saying that
there is constant and ready demand for
them elsewhere. The department cannot
stand in the way of young men lettering
themselves and must continue to undergo
the embarrassment unless increased COM
pensation is provided for them.
The work in many cases entails the at
tendance of an assistant to the corporation
counsel. whose time is valuable and fully
taken up with other duties.
As to Minor Cases.
Under the regulations this board is au-
thorized to omit the taking of testimony in
minor cases. and it occurs to me where
debts are admitted or evidenced by judg-
ments. failure to report for duty, minor
neglects and kindred charges made. the
board should not require the transcribing
of the testimony.
Il have the honor to state that in order to
conditions one trial board. composed
of Inspector J. A. Swindells Capt. II. B.
Elliott and Lieut.. w. f. Falvey, might
hear all cases. the assistant to the corpara-
ton counsel being present to protect the
interests of the District when there is OPP
posing counsel
THE present law gives the major and SUI
perintendent no voice in the work of the
trial board
Il am informed that one of the two stem
ographers appointed less than two months
accept a more promising place under the
government, and the cases in the depart
ment are away in arrears"