Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-10
SYLVESTER'S ADDRESS
BEFORE CHIEFS OF POLICE AT
HOT SPRINGS TO-DAY.

HOT SPRINGS. Ark, April fo--Pcliee
officials from all sections of the United
States and Canada, members OF the In
ternational Association of Chiefs of Police,
assembled here this morning upon the &C.
casion of the thirteenth annual convention
of the organization. At the meeting of the
association held In Washington, D. c., last
year the invitation of John w. Sheveiin of
this place to meet here this year was ac-
cepted. The holding of the meeting in this
section had the effect of bringing out
larger number of western delegates than
has heretofore attended an annual meet
ing. An interesting program has been ar
ranged for the delegates, and while the
meeting will last only four days most of
the delegates will remain here until Sun
day, especially those from the east.
Maj. Richard Sylvester. president of the
associat ion, called the convention to order
this morning. He thanked the local Off
Gals for their interest in entertaining the
members of the association. He said in
parts
President Sylvester's Address.
It has been the privilege and pleasure
of the members of this organization during
the last several years to avail themselves
of generous offers of entertainment from
distinct interests, different methods of mu-
nicipal procedure and characteristics OF
those in control and other features In con-
trast have afforded intellectual profit and
broadened the minds of those of us who
have been interested in improving and adj
vancing conditions. Advanced facilities
and appliances and moderniZed systems,
were observed in some municipalities, IN
different, antiquated methods prevailed in
others. The worlds fair included a police
exhibit az qftrQctfong In it's
nonic division, which proved q profitable
and interesting study. Altogether the ex-
periences had and observations made have
hetted incalculable benefits have prompted
and effected a betterrilent of the service
generally.
New York's Elaborate System.
In this country New York possesses the
most elaborate police combination, one af-
ter which the largest cities of the United
States have patterned primarily, although
nowhere is the personnel in its various ca
pacitfes so permanently fixed by law.
The police institution is the one on which
all other municipal establishments must de-
pend but II becomes dangerous as politi-
cal engine, and Its effectiveness Is seriously
impaired. 1t Is the absence Of this feature
which materially adds to the success of the
foreign work in the prevention and detec-
ton of crime. although London and Paris
are not without violations and many I'M
solved mysteries. The elevation Of the po-
lice officer In the esteem of the public by
studying. promulgating and intoxicating
every means which might tend to that end
prompted the formation of the Association
of Chiefs thirteen years ago. That the
smaller community, with less adequate and
perfect police support might profit by
learning the organizations and experiences
of the larger, possessing better facilities;
that methods for systematic cooperation
for the benefit of society generally might
be adopted that new plans and devices
f1I,z
and property In all communities; that
proper treatment for weak humanity might
be determined upon, and that personal as
well as Official acquaintance and communi-
cation might prevail among the members
have been some of the features involved,
which have afforded a more abundant com
pensation TO the public, and particularly
the municipalities interested than is evil
IDENTIFY realized, except by the respective
operators who are engaged in the lauda BILE
under taking. If your efforts to keep pace
with the disorganizing and lettering ele
ments which affect society are as faithful
In your several Jurisdictions as they are
manifested here they should be apprecfat-
ed, and you should be retained and sus
tanned.
The policy to prevent and protect rather
than detect and destroy seems to have pre-
vailed. to the credit of the authorities. To
do that successfully these must be the
necessary force numerically, which, 1t is
to be regretted, is not the case generally
l doubt If there is q single city in the land
which is amply provided with respect to nu-
merical suficiency. Such is not wise econ
omy.
Training the Police.
While Drawn is at times necessary, men
should be taught to realize that brains
properly applied are far reaching in er
fectiveness. AS time has progressed and en-
lightenment controls, the criminal is not
backward. but keeps pace with conditions.
and his overtaking and punishment calls
for study and skill. On the other hand,
public sentiment demands humane handling
of the criminal classes in these days, and
IN order TO meet conditions it is proper
that the officer of the law should feel that
he Is not only the instrument of apprehen-
sion and arrest, but that he is sufficiently
informed to recommend such treatment as
circumstances may warrant in that drec-
ton. Therefore, believe that a chief who
Is in touch with those engaged in chart
ties and corrections and prison reform
work, while he may not agree with every
thing that Is said and done by them, may
find himself more thoroughly equipped II
he acquires a knowledge of what is being
done through the agency of those organiza-
tons.
Bowling, target practice. friendly recrea-
tion contests between police and civilian
teams the identification of policemen with
civil organizations of social and chart
table nature, all tend to bring about a bet
ter understanding and more thorough CO.
operation between the policemen and citi-
zens. The relationship should be suoh that
when work is we'll done the officer will re-
ceive encouragement from the public and
when badly done its criticism, not failing,
however, to take into consideration many
of the disadvantages which enter into the
lot or the policemen. To succeed the rea-
tionship between the officer of the law ana
the good citizen must be cordial, the former
must have the support of the latter
The greatest incentive to this condition is
TO nave the police free from political pull.
Young Peoples Church Union.