Norwich bulletin., 1914-06-06
NEW LONDON POLICE DEPARTMENT
Need of Get Together Movement For Better Understanding and Assumption of Responsibility y-Dedication of Municipal Building Soon.

It will be happy day for New London, the police department and the members thereof. when the police committee of the court of common council will be content with general supervision of the police department and leave the direction with the caQ- tain. The committee could exercise its full rights and then hold the caps tain responsible for the general effic- iency of the department and the ob- servance of the police rules. It has been the rule. however, for the oorn- mittee to even go so far as to issue orders direct to the patrolmen and ton does not tend to discipline and good order in the department. hence the cropping out occasionally of some little matter that ought to be settled by the captain but which must go to the committee as the captain of the po- lice force of New London has grad ually became captain in name only and stripped of authority. If there is inefficiency in the department 1t is the committee and not the captain who is at fault. The system has grown to such an extent that when anything goes wrong with members of the force instead of relating grievance to the captain for adjustment, the officers go to the committeeman direct, thereby placing discipline on the highest shelf and away beyond reach.
 Captain Haven, as bri1adier general commanding the onneoticut National Guard, as adjutant general of the state and as temporary warden of the Connecticut state prison, has fair conception of the necessity of disci- piine and knows just how to enforce it, much better than any inexperienced member of the police committee, and as the uniformed head of the depart ment he should be clothed with au- thority befitting the office. He has commanded four regiments Of infan- try, and several platoons of artillery all at the same time, and was respen- sible to the state for that big body Of men in the matter of discipline and law and order, and gained an excel lent record in that respect. Such an experienced man would have no trou- ble in having the very best Of disc1- pline among the twenty men compos- ing the New London police depart ment if not held under objection by the gentlemen composing the police committee of the New London court of common council, with the mayor as chairman ex-officio. Yes, 1t will be a happy day for all concerned when the committee will be satisfied with doing their business with the captain in- stead of with the individual members of the police force and give the men to understand that Captain Haven is clothed with the fullest of authority in the conduct of the department.
 Although not fully furnished, the new nnuuieipai building formally dedi- catcd during this month. That building has cost whole lot of money, over three times as much as was first stipulated. but it sure is a handsome structure and will meet the approval of the great majority of cit izens, who will be pleasingiy surprised with the magnificent interior finish and furnishings. The public thing has not yet been accomplished that will satisfy all the people. and it is the case with the new municipal building. The cou1- ell chamber. which was destined to be the handsomest in the building IS sure some room. Still by reason of the large space given to the public gives the part inside the rail allotted to the members a congested appearance that detracts from the general attractive ness of the room. There has been a gentle kick from some of the chronic kickers, in regard to the pronounced contrast in the shade of some of the blocks of granite in the rear of the main hallway which is made even more emphatic in comparison with the snowy white marble in the main stair case But these are trthing matters and are to be expected in these critical times.
 Aa vsss..s Els s..s .--s=i.ss..::F.5 -s=s.:F.5 ana fdrE.isa figs are models worthy of enuItatier New Iepden. and that Is going some: It Is easily. the nest attractive bpfiains In the city of attraetive buildings preseeeei~e and retfesSeetive, ereait ia aFehiteetafe and a rn6numeHt te tAe progressive mayer and the progressive AahaT the city ef New Eeh3en would net have such an elaborate municipal building, as ne ether man would have assumed the respensaBiAtaes that he assumed In connection with the build ing. and his every act has been ap- proved by the citizens, through their representatives in the council and in public city meetings. The new bull l. Ing Is a credit to all eeneerned.
 net cleared fer the new bHibdinu se that the rear would be fully as attfac- tive as the front and that there bt full and clear space all around the : building. This could have been done
 by the removal of the Namaug fire house. which could have been done and without detriment to the depart ment. If necessary another location could have been secured for the fire house. That lot would have been cleared Of that objectionable buildins had it been private property. and don't you forget it.
 Speaking of discipline, or lack of it in the police department, there was a fair sample given the public this week Samuel Hyde. a supernumary officer and station house keeper, was com
 plained of by Captain Haven who pre-.