The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-05-20
CHIEF SHOWS HOW
LAW RULES POLICE
Cook Quotes From Charter and
Political Code in Report
to Commission
Replies to Charge of Polk Street
District Association Regard
ing Special Work

Chief Of Police Jesse Cook submitted
10 the board Of police commissioners
yesterday reply TO the complaint of
the Polk street district association that
about IS per cent Of the total force
is assigned TO special duty in behalf of
private interests" With frequent quo
tstion from the city charter and the
political code, Cook refuted the accu-
sation. At the same time he presented
list OF the special duty assignments
amounting TO IS out of a full force
OF SIS.
In summing up his report the chief
said that the Polk street district as
ISOLATION, from the statements con-
tanned in its communication, seems 10
be ignorant Of the provisions of the
charter governing the police depart
ment." He adds:
They also appear to be under the
impression that the citizens of San
francisco do not need protection on
. ferry boat and that the boundary of
this county does not extend beyond
the ends of the piers along East street.
Their statement as to the number of
T1en on special details appears TO have
been made without a knowledge Of tie
fsct and certainly was not prepared
from the records Of this department"
BOUNDS EXTEND INTO BAY
The chief said that he was bound TO
police the entire city and that that in
GUIDED a large portion OF the bay.
Speaking OF the complaint that detail
or police has been assigned TO Judge
Lawlor's court. Cook said:
''One sergeant and FIVE patrolmen are
detailed in and about the courtroom Of
department 10 OF the superior court.
They have been assigned TO duty there
during the course of the present trial
for the purpose Of preserving the pub
JIG peace and preventing the commits
sion OF any overt act which might be
attempted.
The murderous attack made on the
prosecuting attorney Of that court in
the courtroom a short time ago caused
the presiding judge of that department
10 request q detail of police officers to
be present during the sessions of the
court sufficient TO quell any disturb
snce that may arise IN the courtroom
or in the streets in the vicinity Of the
court.
DUTY To PREVENT CRIME
II believe it is my duty as chief of
police TO prevent crime and 10 protect
persons and property within this city
and county, whether they be in court
room OF q superior court or wherever
they may be. and 7 shall continue. un-
less otherwise ordered by your honor
able board. to detail officers for the
protection OF life and property of any
citizen Of this city who is in danger
and asks for my assistance
The Polk street district association
demands that the officers now detailed
sn and about the courtroom of depart
rnent 10 Of the superior court be inn
mediately Withdrawn. I believe it is
Just as much the duty of the depart
1nent TO preserve the order of a court
room Of 2 superior court in this city
s IL is to preserve order in any other
room or building or any place else
where large assemblages of people con-
HEregste. and will continue TO do so
unless otherwise ordered by your hon
orable board"
The chief stated that an average of
only two patrolmen d day were as
signed 10 places of amusement He,
therefore. regarded as Impractical the
suggestion Of the Polk street district
association that an auxiliary force
should be organized for special work.