The San Francisco call., 1907-03-31
RULES ARE NOT EQUITABLE

Detectives are arbitrarily appointed
by the Chief OF Police from the ranks
of patrolmen, to which rank he may
at will reduce them" said one OF the
upper Office men yesterday A notable
instance of this is the case of Charlie
Crockett, who had been competent
detective for nearly ali OF the 27 years
he had served in the Police Depart
ment Chief Of Police who did not
like him arbitrarily reduced him 70
the rank of patrolman without hear
ing and with no chance TO appeal
Crockett's death, short time after
ward, is regarded by patrolmen and
detectives as a result of grieving over
his discharge from the ranks he had
worked in faithfully"
ii is further contended by the de-
tectives that the rank Of detective
sergeant should be made permanent
Under existing regulations the rank is
given them when they are promoted
into the upper Office. but is otherwise
without significance, for il they are re-
6uced TO the ranks they resume the
position Of patrolmen.
A strong point is made by the de-
tectives in their contention for more
security in their positions, by the cit
ing Of such work as has been accom-
plished by veterans like cambridge
Tom Gibson, Bob Hogan. Gus Harper,
Ed Gibson and others who, at the whim
OF a police chief may be removed 10
make room for some friend In short
the detectives want their branch of the
department placed on an equal basis
with the other Offices in the police
service. A captain of police cannot be
removed, they point out, at the whim
Of the chief. Such an officer is en-
titled to a trial before the commission
ers and may not be removed without
cause. This is true of lieutenants- and
even corporals OF police, both of which
latter positions are less responsible and
pay less than that Of detective SER
geanr; but the detectives may be re-
moved at a moments notice and with
out reason and assigned to the ranks
from which, by hard work and ability
they have risen.
WANT CHARTER AMENDED
IN all Of these contentious" said
Detectives Bunner and Graham yester-
day, I'VE are not seeking assistance
from the patrolmen, who are, as a rule
opposed to our view. They do not want
TO see any line drawn between their
department and ours. and we are-oi
the opinion they will oppose US. We
did not. ask for admission TO their
proposed organization and we do not
think any responsible patrolman ever
said so. We were invited to send a
delegation to a recent meeting and did
so. We approved their move and stated
what grievances we hoped to have cor
rected in our own department. but we
did not and do not look or ask for as
sistance from them With the sanction
Of the chief and the commission we
will put our case before the people
at the next election"
The impossibility Of any detective
ever successfully aspiring tos serve as
captain Of detectives has long been a
grievance which should be cured. say
the detectives. The very depa rtment
the duties Of which train man every
day in detective service, is barred from
placing one of it's men at the head OF
the detective service A detective SER
geant, in other words, is Ineligible to
serve as captain of detectives; that
position must be filled. according to the
charter, by a captain OF police who, in
the nature of his work. can hardly be
as qualified as men who have served
for years in the detective branch OF
the police system.