The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-13
CRIME REEVES TALK
OF STATE POLICE BODY
SmithfisId Residents TGrrOrized
by Recent MurdeTOuS As
sauIts - Country People
Lack Protection.

Because of recent crimes in Snithfield
and other country communities there has
been a revival of talk OF creating a stGSe
police force for the benefit OF unpoiced
towns. In Rhode Island the public laws
define who are the state police, but other
than the sheriffs Of the five counties the
members are appointees either OF the
towns and cities or OF the county sheriffs,
and the jurisdiction of each Is his respec-
tive town or county.
Sheriff Hunter &. White when asked
for an opinion as TO whether or not the
present system could be improved by
borrowing an idea from Massachusetts
said:
''rhe subject has been considered II
was talked over in the general asAem-
,cluded that the idea would not be a
kood one for Rhode Island. The plac-
Rg of responsibility on each town and
city for Us own police work Is the old
Rhode Island way. The town sergeant
is the head of the police force in his
town, and when he finds that he needs
help he can call on the sheriff, / don't
think a state. organization would be
any better than the present idea
Coroner Eugene H. Lincoln, who has
held his Office I'm this city for the past
IS years or so. and from his frequent as
signment 10 represent the attorney-gen-
eral at inauests in the country towns
may almost be called the states travel
y
seeing the defects in the machinery for
the apprehension Of criminals in the
small towns.
CORONER LINCOLN.
There can be no denying that the
country people lack the protection they
ought TO have" said Mr.. Lincoln, "be-
cause 1t is impossible for them to have
local officers of sufficient experience to
do good detective work. The call on
"A Il l. .~I,t1
police departments are given TO helping
each others 1t is not supposabe that this
city can furnish police talent for the
whole state, or for good part OF Il.
"One would think that the town SER
geant OF small town. who by law Is
made the head OF the police force In his
bailiwick, would be able TO realize quick
ly whether a case requires more talent
and experience than he possesses. but the
fact remains that he sometimes does not
81 don't see why the towns should be
jealous II there were state detectives TO
take up such cases. The measure would
be for the projection OF the people OF
those towns, and the direct cost would be
less than II they kept a professional po-
liceman i'm thelt service.
II cannot indorse a law before see Il,
and l don't know how far a state police
law might go. but I have seen where
such officials could be useful. For exam
pie, the coroner " p country town Is not
called upon to hold inquests often enough
to acquire any great experience in In
quiring into a case. and he is at even
greater disadvantage II his town has no
police talent 10 work up case.
"In fact, even IL a coroner l. expert
enced and able. he cannot elicit all tho
facts bearing upon a crime that detcc-
tive can, because II suspected or pos
sibly involved man is summoned before
him 20 testify. the coroner is obliged 20
warn such witness that the latter is
not required To incriminate himself
"Thus warned. and knowing that his
words are being written down and must
be signed, such a witness will usually
shut HIS mouth tightly, while % detec-
tive he would he likely 20 give valuable
information. II has sometimes been the
case that the attorney general has en-
gagged detective from out OF the state
TO get Information as 10 country crime" ="
CHIEF EGAN
Chief OF Police Egan said:
'I think a small force OF state detec-
tives 10 take up these crimes in country
towns would he n good idea. have long
thought so. discussed the matter with
the late Gov Dyer. who. / believe. was
the cause OF the matter being nqitated nv
the legislature.
-Four or five men would he a large
enough force 20 give at the country COM
munities ,n Uhode Island that experi-
enccd pclice talent which would seem 10
be required. I come into relation occa-
sionally with the members Of the Massa .
chusetts state police and see where the
country towns there appear to have the
advantage Of similar communities I'm this
state"
II don't see whore there Is anything
especially revolutionary In such an idea. ."
said "a police OFFICIAL THE general AS
sembly has sometimes placed the enforce
mont OF certain OF its laws directly I'm the
hands OF state officers taking II out ~
the hands of local men The state police
for the enforcement Of prohibition laws