The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-07-13
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Of the Police Department of the City
of Shreveport.

The Caucasian has been requested to
let the public know if there are rules
and regulations which govern the police
in the discharge of their duties.
The regulations approved and adopt
ed by the City Council, when Hon. K.
T. Vinson was Mayor, are embraced in
forty-two specific rules, which were
framed and compiled from the best po-
lice authorities.
In these regulations there is no rule
Which warrants an officer in using his
handy and his ready pistol in making
arrests or in shooting or in killing any
one fleeing from arrest.
In the forty-two rules is covered all
the practical needs of the department
in the enforcement of discipline and in
the maintenance of the highest eff
ficiency.
These rules are still active and should
be enforced and will be found in the
volume of "the ordinances of the City
of Shreveport, compiled by authority of
the City Council, and published jan
uary 1902, by the Caucasian & Carney
Bros Printing Co., the official printers
for the city y
Answering the direct queries as what
are the duties of policeman in making
arrests is reproduced.
Rule 20. When a disturbance occurs
he shall instantly proceed to the spot
and use his best efforts to restore quiet.
If any person has committed a telo-
nious assault, or any other felonious
crime, or by loud outcries, or otherwise
persists in disturbing the peace, the
person offending shall be taken into
custody and conveyed to the station
house. If the patrolman is exposed IN
the performance of his duty, and no
other police officer is within call, he
may, in the name of the State. demand
the aid of any citizen present
Note: There is not word or refer
ence to the handy pistol.
Rule II. When any party charges an
other with crime, and insists that the
party so charged shall be taken into
custody, he shall require the accuser, if
unknown to him, or there is any suffi-
eient reason for it, to go with the ac
cused to the police station
Rule 22. When it becomes necessary
to take party into custody, he shall
do so in as quiet a manner as possible,
| using only sufficient force to secure the
prisoner, and in no instance shall he
strike the prisoner except in self de-
fense. Any unnecessary abuse of pris-
oners while in custody, either by word
or act, will be severely punished
Rule 26 applies to infractions by the
police for which is provided reprimand,
forfeiture, suspension, dismissal, and
covers thirty-one offenses against dis
cipline, among which are:
In toxication.
Visiting saloons while in uniform, ex-
cept for police purposes.
Visiting places of amusements in uni
form except for police purposes.
Visiting gambling houses or houses
of i'll fame, in uniform, except for po-
lice purposes
These cover the queries raised. If
the rules were enforced there would be
a better understanding of the duties
and obligations of the police, and there
would never arise the need of shooting
and killing any man fleeing from ar
rest whether charged with a misde-
meanor or felony.
/ On the police force are good men,
men who are conscientious and are
striving to do their duty, but the eff
cheney of the service would be pro-
Imoted by the necessary discipline and in
tha enforcement of the rules