The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-20
Bodeker Submits Annual Re-
 port to Commission
CAUSES OF THE DECREASE
Chief Asks for IS Additional Patrol men, In View of the Largely ln- creased Area of
 the City.

a report for the year l90S The report covers the period beginning January l, 1908, when Chief Bodeker went into office, and ending December 31, 1908. The re- port is considered very favorable one.
 A tabulated statement appended to the chiefs report shows that during the year 1908 there were 7297 arrests made for the various offenses. The decrease in the number of arrests during the past year as compared with the preceding year was 4367. Chief Bodeker speaks of this de- crease in the following worlds "This was effected by instructions to the men to use discretion and good Judgment in the investigation of frivolous cases" The tab ulated form shows the following, with reference to the number of arrests for the most important offenses: Drunken ness TAG, violations of the prohibition law 5OS, assault and battery TIP assault with intent to murder EOS. assault with intent to rob 5, burglary and grand larceny 115 carrying concealed weapons 125, sell ing cocaine 5, disorderly conduct 942, em- bezzlement 26. forgery 29, fugitives from justice 56 gaming, 94s, grand larceny 226, pett larceny 627, murder 27, robbery IS, vagrancy 396.
 In view of the large territory to be patrolled and the increased population of the city Chief Bodeker requests 15 addi- tional patrolmen. He also requests that he be allowed a second assistant desk sergeant in order that the desk sergeants may be placed on an eight-hour shift Other important recommendations are made which are set forth in full in the report given below.
 In the latter part of his report Chief Bodeker calls attention to the decreased number of arrests and in speaking of this matter last night he said: "I hope to cut the number of arrests down 10 5000 this year.
 During the past year the police re- covered $24,se9 32 worth of stolen property and the amount of fines and fees collect ed was s34,543. 45.
 Chief Bodeker's report follows:
 Bodeker's Report.
 January l, 19O9 Honorable Board of Police Commissioners
 of the City of Birmingham. Gentlemen:-In accordance with the rules of the police department I present herewith my first annual report as chief of police.
 The efficiency of the police department has increased greatly during the past year. The men have worked with a will ingness and earnestness gratifying in the l extreme. The members of this depart ment have endeavored faithfully to at tend to all complaints and to perform their duty with fidelity. If any member is inclined to act otherwise no hesitation exists in indicating to him the error of his inclination. Every man doing his duty has with him the knowledge that he is supported absolutely by his su- perior.
 T desire to express through your honor able body my gratitude to the officers and men for the peace and good order preserved by them, and for the extra hours of duty performed without a mur- mur on occasions demanding their extra service
 In consequence of the large territory to be patrolled and the increased popula- tion of the city would earnestly request your honorable body to urge the Mayor and City Council to allow 15 additional patrolmen.
 In order to give the citizens in the residence sections of the city the proper police protection this number of men is absolutely necessary. The presence of patrolmen in the residence sections would prevent many burglaries.
 I would further request your honorable body to abolish the offices of first and second lieutenants, and instead thereof elect two captains at salary of $100 each per month, also to elect chief of de- tectives at salary of $10O, three patrol sergeants at SS5 per month each, one sec ond assistant desk sergeant at $50 per month, and seven detectives at 800 per month. These detectives are now patrol men detailed in the detective depart ment, working from 12 to IS hours per day, and only drawing patrolmen's salary. The extra man in the office would enable me to place the desk sergeants upon an S-hour shift, as 12 hours each day con- fined in the office Is too long for man to work. This increase would only amount to $40 per month and would add material ly to the efficiency of the department.
 The detective department is the most important branch of the service, and the members composing this department Gun der the direction of Acting Chief w. J. McDonald) have in the past year per- formed the duties assigned to them in a highly credtable manner, as the num- Der of arrests made by them and the large number of convictions in the high e. courts will show, together with the amount of stolen property recovered by them and restored to the rghtful owners.
 Cutting Down Arrests.
 lOn taking charge of the office. Janu- ary 1, 1908, determined to cut down the number of arrests by instructing the men not to make arrests unnecessarily, or where the charge was for frivolous of- fense, and by comparing this report with the report of 1907 you will note de- crease of 4367 arrests This was effected by 1T structions to the men to use dis cretion and good judgment in the investi gatop of frivolous cases. I believe if this policy is properly and generally car ried into effect 1t will put the policeman in the position he should occupy. He will learn that the people he has to deal with are human beings, capable of mak- ing mistakes. further believe that the best policeman is he who manages of lenders against the law and prevents crime. with the least show of authority, with the least personal pride and with the greatest fense of human justice.
 In conclusion I desire to thank the of ficers anC men of this department for the conscientious work performed by them during the past year. My one ambition will be to give the people of Birming- ham the most efficient police department