Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-14
Council
Will Boss
the Force
Councilman RigdOn Points
out the Law to Chief She
deck about Appointments
and He Lets 1t Go at That

uuu IlS LkIS ~ UU ~ lHub
That the chief of police has no legal
authority to recommend the appoint
ment of officers to serve under him;
that the fact that former officers have
been permitted to suggest to the city
council who he shall have for assist
ants was but mere custom and
courtesy on the part Of the members
of the council and that each individual
member Of the city body is responsible
for every officer from city attorney to
poundmasters is the contention Of
Councilman Rigdon in statement
made this morning on the streets while
interviewing Chief of Police Shedecll
in relation to the action Of the city
fathers in turning down the chiefs se-
lections and recommendations last
might.
Whether or not Chief of Police She
deck will consider Councilman Rig
don's opinion as final judgment in the
police recommendation matter, re-
mains to be seen, but after the inter-
view with the alderman, he declared
tho latter was correct in his conten-
ton and that the members Of the city
council could proceed to appoint the
police officers and be responsible for
their actions insofar as he (Shedeck)
was concerned
Says Chief Must HarmOnize.
ut is your duty, Chief Shedeck to
harmonic with the men that are ap-
pointed by the council irrespective Of
the fact that you failed to secure the
men you recommended" said Council
man Rigdon insofar as your recon-
mendations are concerned, have TAX
en- no part in the discussion one way
or the other; don't know anything con-
cernlng Mr.. Gaines for right or wrong
and / have known the family on both
sides for number of years.
"You entered upon your duties un-
der q wrong impression. You believ-
cd that 1t was regular provision in
the city charter granting the chief of
police of Salem the right to recon-
mend and expect endorsement of men
whom he desires to serve under him
at the time you submitted your recon-
mendations. have looked into the city
charter pertaining to this special point
and find that the city council, and the
city council alone is responsible for
the actions of every police officer with
the exception Of the chief, who Is un.
der bonds and is responsible to him.
self and the people at large, The city
council is responsible for the welfare
of the city and 1t is also responsible
for the actions of the officers serving
the city.
"The only duty the chief Of police IL
required to perform, is to enforce tn,
law and obey the mandates of the cit!
council He is not responsible for thu
men serving as police officers, nor Il
he responsible for any acts on tn,
part of the persons who appoint tn,
under officers"
Council "Can Go TO It."
Now, as the matter stands with tn
chief Of police, the city council cal
"go to IT," They can make the ap
pointments Of the officers to protec
the city of Salem and be entirely re
sponsible for their actions. The chic
declared he is through and that he vii
not attempt to select men to work IN
der him hereafter
What this new phase in the polio
department squabble will result in re
mains to be seen. The chief will ur
doubtedly act as director Of the polio
force and issue orders when necessar
but 1t is fact will not consider hin
self responsible in the future for an
act ON the part of his men, nor will b
be responsible for any other Office
serving the city.
The chief of police will have contrt
Of the police department however, bl
according to the opinion rendered /
Councilman Rigdon, will not have ar
authority whatsoever to even puni'
an officer working under him who VII
lates any OF the rules laid down in Il
chiefs office.
Says Councilman Is Mistaken
In answer to a question relative
an interview published In The Journ
recently with Councilman Turner, N
Rlgdon declared that Councilman Tu
a - a