The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-07-22
Chief Of Police Baker of Racine
Pleads for Better Discipline
Among Police Forces
HIGH PRAISE FOR o'HARE
Racine Chief Urges Police of the
State to Take Every Possible
Method to Hunt Down His
Would be Murderer

Chief of Police Henry G. Baker of
Racine, speaking before the state con-
vention of police officers in Milwau-
kee on Thursday, gave some very in
teresting suggestions in regard to the
management of police departments in
Wisconsin cities. Chief Baker said
in part:
ut matters not how small the po-
lice force Of any city may be, numeri-
cally, there must be organization and
discipline. A proper uniform should
be worn by the members. The chief
should be the master at all times He
should inform his subordinates as to
the manner in which they should dis
charge their duties and say words of
encouragement when meritorious work
has been done.
'FYour men will soon become fami-
liar with the policy which their chief
desires to follow. Teach them to be
prompt, kind but firm, to be humane,
to avoid unnecessary argument or
force, to be sober and to care for their
health. A deed well done should offset
a slight infraction of the rules.
Never make q subordinate fear you,
but assist him-personally or officially
when you can, if he is deserving.
The members should understand that
they have certain things to do and
that you are willing to meet them
more than half way. Remind them
that the best police officer is the man
who makes arrests and manages pri-
soners with the least display of au-
thority.
"Friction in your department should
not be tolerated fer moment, and
the disquieting element should be at
once removed. Give your men to
understand that if they do not respect
themselves they cannot expect others
to respect them.
cit should always be remembered
that good work on the part of a sub
ordinate reflects credit upon his super
Tor. We should all feel that our pro
fesson is an honorable one if we
choose to make it so, and that strict
attention to duty will sooner or later
elevate the standing of police forces.
The old saying that it takes "thief
to catch thief" is myth. Some
of the bravest and most upright citi-
zens of our country are in the police
business"
He believed that the greatest OBJ
ject of a department is to give the
public the greatest protection, Bowl
ing, hand ball, baseball and other out
door games should be encouraged, for
it gives the men exercise they cannot
get on the beat. Target practice with
the revolver he encouraged, as a neces-
sary qualification for a good police
man. Although not anxious to use his
gun, when occasion arises, ne should
be able to use it with good effect.
The chief also dwelt upon the life of
the policeman not being an easy one.
The automobile having come to stay,
was touched upon and the damage done
by some of these machines when run
at reckless speed, was dwelt upon. He
urged that the police of the state
should use all their best efforts to en-
force the automobile laws.
In his address Chief Baker referred
to the recent attempt on the life Of
Chief of Police o Hare. He said
"Chief Owen O'Hare of Kenosha.
one of our most enthusiastic members,
will not be with us at this meeting.
AS you probably all know the chief
was shot down in cold blood bv
daetardly criminal while arrestino him
on charge of horse stealing. This
took place about $3.50 O'Clock on the
evening Of July 4th The chief was
leading him to the police station when
The thief suddenly whipped out re-
volver from an upper outside coat
pocket and shot him in the breast
over the heart. The bullet, however,
glanced off from the ribs causing a
painful wound but not necessarily a ia
tai wound. Owing to the splendid physi-
cal condition of the chief, am pleased
to be able to inform you that he is
entirely out of danger and will soon
be in the harness again We should
all give our best energies to assist
in the apprehension of the cold blood
ed murderer"