New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-13
POLICE GET NEW HOURS.
Another ree-PIatoon System
Put in Force.
MORE MEN ON AT NIGHT
Commissioner Explains That
They Will Have Longer Hours,
but More Time Off.

Another try at the three platoon system.
which the police and police officials have
been fighting about for many years. was
begun yesterday. Under the present modi-
fcation the meaning OF platoon has been
changed by the new Commissioner. Under
former commissioners platoon has referred
to body of men. Under Commissioner
Waldo platoon means a tour of duty. so
that. as n patrolman's hours of duty
change every day. he belongs TO new
platoon every day
Before they went on patrol yesterday
morning the men were busy in the station
houses studying tho charts. showing what
they had TO do fer the next twelve weeks.
The charts looked complicated, but the ex-
plantations sounded simple. According to
the explanations, the force was divided into
three parts. two of q per cent each and
one OF 20 per cent. The two smaller d.
visions each did eight hours of patrol duty.
p. m. The larger division was on patrol
from II p. m. to .. m. At all times one
twelfth OF the entire force was on reserve
in the station houses
The men got sixteen hours a day away
from tho station houses two days in three
and eight hours away on the third day. be-
ing on reserve eight hours one day In three
Twice in every six weeks the men had
thirty-two consecutive hours off patrol duty.
on one OF these occasions they did not have
TO report at the station houses during the
entire thirty-two hours. On the other oc-
casion they had TO sleep in the station
houses eight hours on reserve duty.
Commissioner Waldo said yesterday that
the system had not been working long
enough TO tell how the men liked It, 1--WE
have not had any complaints from the men
yet" he said, but it will take about thirty
days to tell how they like it. The men are
getting what they asked for. and the public
are getting what they want. We will have
more men on duty at night, when they are
needed. and the men will have more time
off At the same time, the men Will be on
duty for longer hours. That seems anoma-
llcus but that is the way the plan works
out. on account of the way the tours Of
DUTY are divided and the way the reserve is
handled"
The mon were a bit dubious as they ex-
lamined the charts There seemed consid-
cradle complication to them I'm the little
black squares and the long. black oblonss
and the cross marks I'm some Of the squares.
There was some grumbllng. also. because
the shifts did not end az s o'clock. ~ o'clock
and o'clock There seemed TO be some
idea that there were more hours between
7 a. m and 3 p. m than there were between
S a. m and 4 p m. The men were pleased.
for the most part. however. and were glad
OF any kind Of a change and willing 10 give
the new system a ivy before they began
any serious Grumbling
Commissioner Waldo plans also several
other changes in the administration Of the
department. He intends n establish large
number Of what will he called stationary
posts. This IDEA IS taken from The London
police Throughout the precincts men VIII
be stationed at points which they will not
be allowed 70 leave except on an emergency
call. He will abolish the habit OF supply
ing men to watch over every little neigh
horhood meeting in a church or small hall.
a description OF duty which has In the past
taken a large number Of men. The men de-
tailed to this work have had il TO do as
extra work IN addition to their regular
tours Of patrol.
In reply 10 a letter from the Mayor, ask
ing him 20 tell tho truth" about charges
that tho Mayor had caused changes in the
equipment Of the police force including or
ders TO give UP their clubs. Commissioner
Waldo Yesterday sent the following letter
70 the Mayor:
l beg to acknowledge the receipt OF your
letter OF June 9. Since you became Mayor
of this city, January l, 1910. no orders
have been issued to the police force b. any
one. either verbally or In writing. making
anv change IN the equipment " members
Of the force as 10 clubs, night sticks or
revolvers. Respectfully X NAL'o'
Robert ]. Kennedy was appointed eXecu-
tive secretary 70 Commissioner Waldo yes
terday. and Immediately took up the duties
of his Office. Mr.. Kennedy was formerly a
s'-Tba Mall