Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1912-08-28
POLICE CHIEF
SEES NEED OF
SLEUTH SQUAD
Also Recommends in Annual
Report Larger Police
Force for City
WOULD IMPROVE
POLICE HEADQUARTERS

and Il was perused with much inter
est as it contained considerable valu-
able information and some recon-
mendations that are deserving Of ia
vorable consideration.
Among the recommendations made
By Chief Black are the establishment
Of a detective bureau and the addi-
ton Of at least ten policemen a year
until the required number TO proper
ly police the city Is reached. He also
makes the suggestion that the entire
second floor of the police station be
torn out and renovated, to provide
proper accommodations for female
prisoners.
DuRing the past year the report sets
forth, twenty-one members of the
force were summoned before the Po-
lice Commission, charged with violat-
ing the rules of the department, re-
sulting in seventeen being reprimand-
ed and warned two fined two days
pay each; one four days pay. and one
dismissed from the force. The total
number of arrests made during the
year was 1908, as compared with
1888 for the previous year, an in
crease of 1874.
Chief Black continues 81 have in
previous reports called attention to
the quarters set aside for the deten-
ton Of female prisoners, being COM
PEELED to keep both white and color
ed female offenders in the same cell
room. / would again suggest that
the entire second floor be remOdeled
and made into an up to date prison.
In my last report / recommended
the purchase of an automobile for
the use of this office, having to rely
upon the kindness of citizens and the
other departments for an automobile
when occasions arise requiring the
use of one. Such occasions ARE con-
stantly increaslugt / would therefore
renew my recommendation Of last
year and ask that such an automobile
be purchased with as little delay as
possible.
"The establishment OF detective
bureau has also been dwelt upon IN
past reports. The necessity of this
becomes more urgent every day"
In my last report recommended
the purchase of an automobile for
the use of this office, having to rely
upon the kindness Of citizens and the
other departments for an automobile
when occasions arise requiring the
use of one. Such occasions are con-
stantly increasing l would therefore
renew my recommendation Of last
-lic3r and ask that such an automo-
bile be purchased with as little do
lay as possible.
"The establishment of detective
bureau has also been dwelt upon I'm
past reports. The necessity of this
becomes more urgent every day. In
perusing reports from other police
departments you will find that VIII
mington stands alone In this respect,
being the only city OF any size not
having a regular detective force.
would ask that this matter be taken
up and seriously considered, and tho
proper steps taken towards establish
ing such a service
Il would suggest that some one
connected with the office be commits
stoned as a notary public, as We have
occasion 10 send Out TO have papers
attested TO-
u again call your attention to tho
necessity of increasing the force. adj
ditional patrolmen could be author
ized every year until the force
reaches sufficient number We not
only need a detective bureau and
track squad, but We need additional
men in order TO reduce the size of
the larger districts. Take for example
the Ninth ward, which now contains
but two police districts, and has
population OF something over 10000
and still increasing. or the Seventh
ward with one block of the Fifth
ward. which contains but three po-
lice districts and which extends from
Market street 70 the Rising Sun Road,
and has a population Of over 10000
This in itself should demonstrate
the fact that the department lacks
sufficient patrOlmen. l would again
ask. even though our last appeals 20
the Council have not been granted,
that the board petition the Council
to pass a resolution recommending a
substantial increase in the force"
Relative to the finances Of the de-
partment the reports shows that the
annual appropriation amounted to
$105.500. while the total expenditures
amounted TO S104, 1929. leaving an
unexpended balance at the end Of the
year Of S60071. The earnings of the
police department for the year
amounted to S12,1O3.39. The total
value Of all the police porperty is
$4,000. In conclusion Chief Black
says. Il desire to thank the Hon
orable Commissioners for their many
kindnesses. also the judge and the
clerk Of the City Court. and the
special agent for the Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty to Children for
their valuable assistance. I also
take great pleasure I'm commencing
the captains, sergeants and patrolmen
for their faithfulness during the past
year"
The report gives complete roster
Of the police force. changes made in
me department during the year.
Police districts and boundries, sal
ares received by each member and
the time lost on account of sickness
by each man.
A complete record is given of the
causes OF arrests and the disposition
of all the prisoners. II shows that
6,009 dodgers we're accommodated In
the police station in the year. In
reference to. the new automobile pa
troll the number CT calls it made. the
number of people il carried and the
miles II has travelled during the time
1t has been in service are given by
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