The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-28
RAISE STANDARDS
ON POLICE FORCE
-- -----
System Of Civil Service Exanilla-
tions to Be Instituted Soon
by Board.
MEANS IMPORTANT REFORM n
:ANs IMPORTANT REFORM
Remarkable Ignorance Discovered
Now and Then Will Be Elilni-
mated by New Plan.

Within the next two months civil
service examinations will be introduced
in the police department. Of Richmond,
and will be required for admission to
the force and for advancement In
grade. The reform has been definitely
determined upon by the board of conf
missioners, and though the full details
OF the plan are as yet to be worked
out. will be instituted as soon as pos
siblc.
Already there is in operation under
the direction OF Chief Werner school
for the instruction Of the men in State
criminal law and city ordinances,
Nfessrs. Gordon. Welsh and Myers be-
ing delegated by the board - conduct
these classes during the off time OF
the officers at the two station houses.
lust now lectures and quiz classes are
being held on the details of tae byrd
law and other measures passed by tne
recent Legislature affecting the ad-
ministration OF justice in cities.
Complete System.
n Is purposed by the board to en-
tond this to a complete civil service
svste,n. series Of examinations be-
ing held at regular intervals to supply
vacancies on the force.
Applicants will be examined by soiil.
competent person, such the prlnclpai
Of the High School. on their kno"lease
of the English language and the CITY
attorney, the prosecuting attorney "
some committee from the par associa-
zion. will conduct an examination on
citv ordinances and the more frequent
IL hroken state criminal laws. General
Knowledge of the city and personal
from well-known citi-
zens as to character, energy, etc. VIII
also count certain number of points.
Examinations will be held in similar
manner for raising policemen from
grade to grade, and for such vacancies
as occur among the serSeants, mans
record on the force for term OF years
being made considerable factor IN
the question Of promotion. The policy
of the board. as shown In the system
of civil service examinations, will be
toward efficiency and knowledge OF
the duties required as the recommends
lions for advancement in the service
rather than mere age and length OF
time On the force.
Good Results Expected.
Members of the Board are of opinion
that when the new plan is fully work,
ed out and put into operation, 1t VIII
prove strong incentive to the younger
men on the force, among whom thefe
are a number of energetic OFFICERS, e
improve their training by putting IN
education, and keeping thoroughly post
ed on municipal and State laws for the
arrest and punishment of criminals.
Experimental examinations made
some some time ago by Chief Werner
among number Of the new men on
the force revealed a remarkable ignor-
ance of certain practical topics, one
Of the officers answering that petty
larceny was hitting man over the
head with small stick SO as not to
do any serious damage.
Another brilliant specimen declared
that city ordinances were enacted by,
the board of directors-them men that
make the city directory"
Hospital Street was described as the
road leading to Hollywood Cemetery.
At this point the chief gave it up and
asked the board to come to his assist
ance. The new plan is the result