Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-08-07
The Police and the People.

Mayor GaynOr OF new 1OIh HOS 40
Gently been interesting himself in the
work of the police force. endeavoring to
ascertain how far 1t is protecting or OPP
pressing tho people. In order to test the
efficiency of the police he attended a ses-
sion Of the night court. and as a result
asserts that two-thirds Of the arrests are
needless and stupid. and that, further-
more, he had found one or two cases
where there had been arrests for the ex-
tortion of money from prisoners. The
mayors belief Is that the night court is
for the purpose chiefly of effectlng the
prompt discharge OF persons unjustiy or
unnecessarily arrested. SO as TO aVolo
their detention over night. If this Is true
his recent activity is having good effect
as the night following his visit the num-
Der Of prisoners brought to the court fell
or decidedly, only eighteen appearing up
to 10 o'clock against fifty in the same
period heretofore.
The New York executive holds to the
doctrine laid down by the Cleveland chief
Of police, who lately secured exone-ation
from charges affecting his moral and Of
fetal character. Chief Kohler's theory
Is that the police should be measured for
efficiency by the infrequency with which
they appear as compliments in court
rather than by the number of the arrests
they make. This is also the English con-
ception of the town constables" duty.
The policeman who compromises personal
quarrels, separates cOmbatants. warns
misdemeanants, and otherwise tries to
save citizens from the disgrace and con-
tamjnation of being locked in cells and
forced into association with real criminals.
Is of more value to the community than
the one who gives an impression of great
activity and efficiency by frequently ap-
pearing in court as prosecuting witness
The incorporating policeman may be,
In fact. far more valuable than the one
whose name is constantly being mention
ed In the police court reports, provided
he conscientiously endeavors to enforce
the laws and regulations by vigilant OBJ
servation and tactful instruction.
The policeman Is not necessarily the
enemy of the individual citizen. In olden
days the man in uniform was rated as the
foe Of virtually all he encountered. This
was because there was a slight regard
tor the law and municipal government
was conceived as an Objectionable re-
straint upon personal liberties. Now a
more enlightened view of civic organiza-
hon is taken by the majority of men. and
the policeman is recognized as the type
Of the system of general protection which
city government is designed to afford.
In this city occasion has been found from
time 10 time to urge that members of the
police force be required by their superiors
70 depart from the routine Of beat walk
Ing and take cognizance of conditions
which might possibly give rise to trouble
instead OF waiting for an accident or an
evil result. This doctrine has gradually
come into vogue and today the policemen
Of Washington do their work commend
ably in the main. They might, however
Ehoughtfully study the disclosures which
have been made in the New York night
court and regulate their activities in the
making OF arrests in accordance with the
theory that a citizen who has been hailed
to court for trihing offense may per-
haps be more effectively warned by an
explanation of the gravity of his mis-
aemeanor and his release on personal
parole. A regulation breaker thus treated,
and regarded as q second offender il he
should persist in his violations, should
receive on his court appearance an addi-
.ional penalty for his failure 10 appre-
slate and respect the tolerance shown
him.