The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-02

Schenectady. n. Y. Sept. 1.-The prin-
cipal paper discussed az the New York
State police chiefs convention. which
has been in session here for two days,
was that Of Maj. Sylvester superinten-
dent OF police Of the District OF Column
bia. Maj. Sylvester was not present. be-
cause Of Illness IN his family. and his
address was read by proxy
The address dealt principally with po-
lice organization. criminal detection, and
the relation between policeman and lay
man.
In police regulations Mai Sylvester was
plain in his statement that politics
should not come into the police organI-
cation. On this point he said:
Would Bar Politics.
The association has always expressed
as a body a strong sentiment against pol
itics entering into the conduct OF police
affairs. and it is evident that the stand
taken 10 this end is having its effect
there being a disposition in many sections
to extend the tenure Of Office to police
commanders who have proved themselves
capable and faithful in the conduct Of
their forces"
Policing he said. is rapidly becoming
profession. The many scientific methods
Of criminal detection which have come
into being in recent years are calling for
study on the part OF policemen. Police
men are becoming more and more in
terested in works on social betterment,
and scientific administration OF their
duties.
Regarding good derived from police
conventions. Maj. Sylvester said:
These conventions are productive Of
wholesome benefit pertaining 10 improve
ments and systematizing the efforts OF
the members, the tendency being 70 up
lift and 20 elevate the standard Of the
police officer so that he may be FAR bet
ter advised and be more efficiently equip
ped 20 meet the conditions OF modern
society, which has undergone such Won
derful changes within few short years.
The lessons and instructions generally
have better prepared the police 10 cope
with the situation. incident 10 the worlds
progress.
When a member Of force performs
a heroic act he is deserving Of popular
mention, at least. and kind words will
encourage the police 20 be better men.
more efficient officials in proportion 10
the confidence and hacking OF this kind
received az the hands Of the respectable
element OF the community. Pride and
ambition is laudable. and can only be in
stilled in the police organization by
recognition OF their meritorious work.
Merit should be recognized anywhere and
everywhere II not, diseoursgement and
Indifference follow"
Urges Civic Interest.
Persons Interested in be>tering civic
government were urged to cooperate
with tie police force In It's duties They
were urged TO meet the force half way.
and do all in their power TO make the
policeman fearless in performing his
duty.
1t was stated that It would be impossl-
BILE under our form OF government TO
entire country, The American form OF
government is antagonistic to such ma
chine This system would psrtake too
much Of the monarchical form OF police
administration.
The paper treats OF the causes and
purposes OF the modern police force.
and the origin OF their organization. Maj.
Sylvester says:
'The modern police was created on ac-
count Of the increase in crime. society
in its endeavor TO prevent the commits
sion Of crime and to apprehend the Grim
inals. selecting police forces as its
agencies for this purpose The organiza-
ton Of New York City was patterned
originally after that Of London, being
modified and adjusted in the years sue
ceeding so as 10 become modernized.
The police forces Of the principal cities
Of the United States and many OF the
lesser ones. are shaped fundamentally
along the lines OF the New York estab-
llshment. that is. with a chief, inspectors.
captains. lieutenants. sergeants. and pri-
Yates, as the factors. constituting the
forces.
While a similarity exists in this re-
gard. the method in which the head Of
the force is appointed is not the same in
different jurisdictions. There are all