The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-12-27
IN THE METHOD OF
I. MAKING ARRESTS
In Cleveland Senator
PoIIoCk's Plan 10 Give
First Criminals a Chance
Is Met With Orders
to Gut Down Number
Of Arrests-The Plan
In Detail.

OI ATFGStS- ITO tdf
In Detail.
The interview recently published 4
the News with state Senator Polloc
relative to the extension OF the pa
role system in Ohio has attracted wild
attention. One of the Columbus pa
pers has a column editorial endorsing
the proposition, while Superintendent
Leonard, of the Mansfield reforma
tory. and a number OF legislators hav'
openly endorsed the idea.
There is a movement along the en-
tire line in Ohio to do away with ole
time barbarism in the punishment o.
misdemeanors. Chief of Police Koh
ler, of Cleveland, on Christmas day
issued orders reyolutionizing the prac
tice regarding arrests In that city
The Plain Dealer publishes the follow
ing account of this new movement:
Oredrs were issued by Chief Kohler
yesterday that will revolutionlze fu-
ture arrests in Cleveland. Begin
ming January 1 the members of the
police department will work under
new regulatlons. Kohler hopes to re-
duce the 81 900 Of annual arrests for
misdemeanoEs by 40 per cent.
After the new year patrolman
will be allowed TO use his own judg-
ment TO a greater degree than he has
been. In cases OF FIRST offenses or in
cases where there are plainly extern
uating circumstances the man on the
beat will be permitted TO do as he
deems best.
In issuing the new instructions TO
the force Kohler has thrown lot OF
ancient police red tape into the lake.
Heretofore when a patrolman made
an arrest the system has been 10
carry the case through to police
court whether It was strong or weak.
"We've gone 30 far. we might as we'll
see It through" has been the old ar
gument.
Drunlds able 10 walk will be allow
cd 10 go home In peace hereafter. A
policeman meeting a man who lives
on his beat under. the influence OF
liquor must personally see that the
drunk reaches his house. Only habit
ual offenders will be placed under ar
rest
Last year i7.4S7 men and women |
were arrested for intoxication. or
his number $40 we're released on
Kohler figures that the year
1908 will show q reduction OF so per
cent.
The most radical change in the
present system is that which makes
me policeman the first Judge In petty
'ffenses. Disturbances, violations OF
he sidewalk ordinance. minor cases
Il assault and battery. tresspass. ut
ering threats. cruelty TO animals,
md. in fact. every misdemesnor. will
'e first judged by the man on the
,eat I
II the actions OF the offender indi- [
ate that he Is likely TO repeat his
ffense the patrolman will so report
0 police headquarters The entry 8
warned" will then be made in a q
ook TO be kept for police reference.
Where In the past from 80 10 150 c
ersons charged with intoxication,
isordorly conduct and minor offenses {
ave lined up In police court. Kohler v
ays that In the future less than one c
ali OF this number will be on the I
ockets. The new order will also 4
Iaterially reduce the work OF the
olice clerks ofIlce. he argues. a
When Mrs. Jones goes TO a station d
ouse and complains that Willie 8
NTH stole her doorbell. her cat or "
sr purse. the officer In charge will .
longer give her this stereotyped n
lyice: 60 TO the police prosecutor b
Id get warrant" h
Instead he will send an officer after a
lille Smith and bring him TO the b
alton. There Willie Smith will be 81
nd the ordinance covering the par HI
'ular misdemeanor of stealing a OF
orbeli. cat or purse. II Willie Is d,
ilty in the opinion of the lieutenant W
II also read the riot act. Then, T
Ie as not. II Willie is culpable m
ough. he will be held for court Il
For Ave years have been study a,
Z the problem OF enforcing the city al
iinances and maintaining peace, h,
ile al the same time avoiding max Il
! arrests" Kohler explained last Y
INT. THE new system Ia my soiu- NJ
N. sf
A policeman should be capable of n
ng discretion. We have lost fully
per cent OF the cases brought Into
lice court. r
In the past prisoners have, been ]
ID for police court charged with in
Iication when the walk 20 the c,
lice station had sobered them suS
emily. A lieutenant now can, II
deems q man sober enough, let
n go on his way,
This Is. the biggest task have fs
n undertaken, but I know that Il th
! be brought TO q successful conclu- ea
n. The city is orderly. The fu- M
Q will show that the system OF max pr
! arrests only when absolutely nee q,
AIRY is one that win become al be
'st universal. W.
The new instructions DO not mean re
Il any leniency will be shown to- fr
I'd people charged with felonies. st
be effective the system must be- co
vieC ont In its fullest spirit"
RnFORM INSANE TREATMENTl IN
IL also planned TO make com mi
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