The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-03
14,753 ARRESTS ARE MADE DURING YEAR BY bODEKER'S MEN Chief Points Out Importance of Having More Police
 men in Birmingham BADLY NEEDED FOR RESIDENCE SECTION Report Shows Falling off in Arrests for Drunkenness from 1910.
 Detailed Figures for
 the Year
Fly ANGUS A. AGREE

ny 1N0OS A. AShEE
 An appeal for more policemen is voiced in the fourth annual report of Chief of Police George H. Bodeker, which was completed yesterday The department was recently cut in the number of men to meet the reduction in the pay rolb but Chief Bodeker finds that the lesser number of men is inadequate to perform the duties required of the department in Birmingham.
 He has requested of Commissioner A. O. Lane that Is more men, at least, be added to. the department, in order to give the residence sections of the city more protection than they are now receiy- ing.
 The detective department has proved during the past year valuable adjunct to the police department. In this de- partment there are 10 men, but Chief Bodeker finds that the increase of work for these men makes it imperative that four more men be added to the force.
 A notable feature of the report is fewer arrests for drunkenness were made dur ing 1911 than 1910 when prohibition was in force the entire year. During the last three months of 1911 Birmingham has en- joyed open saloons and the theory that this would increase the number of drunks has been disproved It is a marked fact that there has been less rowdyism dur ing the months of temperate freedom than in the days of restraint. The num- Der of trunks arrested in 1910 was 1866, from which 1753 convictions resulted. In 1911 there were 1897 arrests made for drunkenness and the number of convic- tions made from this charge is 17d4.
 Commissioner Lane has expressed him. self as being greatly pleased with the work done by the police department as shown in Chief Bodeker's report.
 Report By Chief
 The report in full follows:
 Birmingham. January 2, 1912. Hon. A. o. Lane, Commissioner of Pub
 lie Safety, City.
 Dear Sir: l herewith beg to submit my fourth annual report as chief of police.
 ..The efficiency of the police department has increased greatly during the past year. The men have worked with Will lingness and earnestness gratifying in the extreme The members of the depart ment have endeavored faithfully to at tend to all complaints, and to perform their duty with fidelity. If any mem Der is inclined to act otherwise, no he's itation exists in indicating to him the error of his inclination. Every man do- ing his duty has with him the kpowl- edge that he is supported absolutely by his superior.
 desire to express through you my gratitude to the officers and patrol men for the peace and good order pre- served by them and for the extra hours of duty performed without murmur on occasions demanding extra service.
 The detective department is most important branch of the service, and the members of this department per form the duties assigned to them in a highly creditable manner, as the number of arrests made by them and the large number of convictions in the higher courts will show, together with the large amount of stolen property re- covered by them and restored to the rightful owners.
 The detective department consists of 10 men who draw salary of $97.50 per month We need at least four more men in this department at once.
 In order to give the citizens in the residence sections of the city the prop CT police protection 15 patrolmen should be added to this department.
 At 11erent times 1 nave lISlTuCle0 the men to use discretion and good judgement in the investigation of friy- olous cases, and to give warnings rath- CT than to make arrests for such of- lenses. l believe that if this policy is properly and generally carried into effect it will put the policemen in the position they should occupy. They will learn that the people they have to deal with are human beings, capable of mak- haI hat the best policeman is he who manages would-be offenders against the law, and prevents crime, with the least show of authority, with the least personal pride, and with the greatest sense of human justice.
 In conclusion I desire to thank the ocicers and men of this department for the conscientious work performed dur ing the rr st year.
 I desira to thank you and your as- sociates for your support and assistance during your administration, and ex- press my sincere thanks to the mem bers of the commission for the uniform kindness and courtesies extended to me at all times.
 List of Arrests
 The following is a tabulated list of arrests and convictions for the year 1911:
 Affray, arrests, 5s convictions, 40.
 Adultry, arrests, 135; convictions, 116. -------~~>-----------------
 fCONTIyVrED nN LAST pAGL,N