Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-03
POLICE DEPARTMENT.

The police situation in the District Of
Columbia, presents important features
which do not prevail elsewhere in the
United States. The police area en-
braces about sixty-nine and one-quarter
square miles, wherein are located the
cities of Washington and Georgetown
and many villages and improved subur-
ban subdivisions, connected by a network
of roadways. each of which would have
its distinct police or constabulary II it
were included in state.
The metropolitan police force. for the
year ended June 30. 1912. had a numeri-
cal strength of 733 members, seventy-five
of whom were officers. including those
in command, and 63S Of whom were pri-
Yates, divided into three classes accord
ing to length of service and rate of re-
Enumeration This number of privates
was reduced by details from their num-
Der TO special employments. such as
batlifrs. guards and clerks, to the number
OF fifty, while 10 additional members
were engaged on posts or in other ca
pacities made absolutely necessary for
the proper regulation OF police affairs.
As an example, twenty-seven of them
were used as clerks in the station houses.
twenty-five In connection with the patrol
wagons and signal service. alternating
IN tweNe-hour reliefs. while others were
located upon posts at the more impor-
tant villages. at the emergency hospitals,
the bridges, railroad loops and railroad
stations as required by law, and when
these two classes of dispositions had
added to them the average number that
might be stcA or on leave OF absence. az
permitted by law. the active patrol force
for the jurisdiction was reduced to AS
members. they again being divided into
reliefs of eight hours each. thus afford
ing the employment of about los men
for patrol duty throughout the District
during day period and double that num-
Der. or about 2lO men, during the night
time. This condition has not been i'm
proved by increase in the police force
for several years, but, on the contrary,
Congress at its last session provided
that no vacancies in the force should be
filled By appointments until il had suf-
Tered a reduction OF twenty in its nu-
merical strength, beginning July / 1872
This provision of the appropriation act
for the Forthcoming year will eventually
reduce the number of privates in the
force. in all classes. to $40
The increase of population and the con-
seQuent increase I'm business and other
public and private metropolitan activities
reasonably calls for the elimination of
that clause which is intended to reduce
the force, and for the enactment of legis-
latlon looking to an increase In numbers
and In Its equipment with the most ap-
propriate modern facilities. including
motor vehicles.
The effectiveness OF the police depart
ment Is impaired by the lack OF suitable
provision for the retire
Retirement ment of officers who,
NJ Officers after many years OF
~' faithful service are en-
titled to retirement In q manner which
now prevails throughout the principal
cities and many smaller towns Of the
United States.
The Commissioners have, In several in.
stances. recommended increases in the
Pay Of the minor officials Of the police
force, who have uniforms to provide