Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-07-08
CIVIL SERVICE FOR POLICE
Chief Hayden of Rochester Opposes
Promotion by Examination.
GOOD FOR ENTRANCE ONLY
Requirements of an Omcer Cannot
be shown by Answers 20 Any
Set of Questions, says
Speaker,

Il
wisdom of applying the principle to pro-
motions
| The address was one of the most interest
I ing of the convention. Tho paper was con-
/ sldered one of the ablest offered and was
| spread or the records in fun as part OF
the proceedings. The reference made to
civil service in the paper is of peculiar
! interest just at this time,
Extracts from the paper Of Chief Hayden
are as follows;
Relief In Civil Service.
I'm most of our cities the members of
the police department are appointed from
civil service list after a competitive ex-
I animation and promotions are made in
each grade from those in the next lower
grade after a competitive examination, us
ually based on the candidates knowledge
! of the duties OF the Office and length of
/ service. There is no doubt in my mind
I as to the benefits of such examinations, so
far as entrance into the department is con-
cerned, and am sure that every one will
! agree with me when 1 say that the in
stallation of civil service has given us men
Of higher educational qualifications than
were secured under the 'spoils system,
when appointments were made a reward
for faithful political service.
Il firmly believe in the wisdom OF COM
into the department. and 1 do not think
that II is possible that the standard for
entrance can se made too high. There is
| no calling in the world where good judg
ment and common sense is daily brought
into play more frequently than that of the
guardian OF peace. A policeman is not only
required to possess a knowledge Of the
criminal law, but he is required to act on
the impulse of the moment without oppor-
tunity of consulting the law books. and
the adage that every man is presumed to
know the law especially applies to him.
where Service ia Inadequate.
THE question OF the advisability of
making promotions from the rank OF pa
trolman through competitive examinations
seems to be an open one. Can the many
qualifications of a man appointed to di-
rect and have charge of a body of police
men be determined by an oral or written
examination? 1 believe that you will
agree with me when l say that they
can not. A man may be well versed in
: the criminal CODE the rules of the depart
r ment and such other subjects as a candi-
date may be examined in, yet he may
not possess a single attribute necessary
: in a competent oficer. He may not be
alert, he may be a dreamer; he may not
lat heart be In accord with his superiors
and perhaps not at all times capable of
using the good Judgment required of
him.
, civil service advocates may theorize
until they are black In the face, but I
, am afraid will never be convinced that
you can determine responsibility. trust
= worthiness and the like by written COM
petitive tests or examinations. No such
, examinations ever yet framed can deter
mine whether a man has moral character
and stability, or whether he has what we
call 'gumption.'
Give Chiefs Appointments.
'I believe that IL the appointing officers
had authority TO take from the ranks
those who have been shown an aptitude
and place them in command, with the un-
} derstanding that they were always serv-
n ing ON probation and would be safe from
removal so long as they did their duty
$ better than any one under them could do
; the same, then l believe that we would
, have real police service. My home city
s is fortunate in the calibre Of it's patrol
men and those in command. but can see
danger ahead II the only requirement for
4 promotion is to be able to answer cor
I rectly twenty or twenty-five questions
. propounded by a Civil Service commits
E sion. Book learning, while absolutely es-
: sential. is only one Of the many qualinca-
4 tions required of a police officer.
"On other occasions 1 have spoken of
the value Of schools of instruction in
4 which members OF the department receive
D instruction in criminal law. Every on
Ger should become familiar with the law
4 / he has sworn to enfore, and If he is
, ignorant of the law, he certainly will not
II become q real police officer until he
at least becomes familiar with its funda-
I "A, uhp hfu
rights and above all the rights of the pri-
vate citizen. A blue uniform, baton
. and a revolver do not make a police off,
GER; a liberal supply OF brains, with a
knowledge how TO use them is extremely
I essential.
Advocates Better Pay.
II believe that IN addition TO a regular
= course OF instruction in criminal law, every
police officer should become familiar with
. the rules Of first aid to the injured. In
4 cases OF accidents happening on the public
I streets of our cities the policeman Is usually
/ the first on the scene. He should be taught
: how to prevent loss OF blood 10 the injured
> what temporary treatment should be ap-
4 piled In fts and fainting spells. for the
reason that q doctor may not always be
=. on hand. and q police oficer with even
. slight knowledge OF just what to do at
the right time would often mean the Savins
OF human life.
Perhaps II had my way. 1 may be
accused OF raising the standards OF the
police too high. and that men of the neces-
sary qualifications could not be secured
for the paltTy salary usually paid to our
guardians Of the peace. 1 confess that the
, salary held out to the police does not at
tract college bred men. and that they are
l not falling over themselves to wear the
suit OF blue. believe the standard Of re-
quirements for members Of the police de.
!, psrtment cannot be raised too high. and
: think that am voioing public sentiment
when / say that were the public assured
/ that they were getting their moneys worth
they would be willing to pay what they
were actually worth.
Courteous, bat an oyster.
"In my ramblings I would emphasize
the importance OF having every policeman
become impressed with the necessity Of
being courteous to citizens and respectful
lao N-sir sunarlora Al All timaa FFhav shonig