The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-05
rOPEkA,s PoLIcE FORCE.

1t 10 the inefnciency of the Topeka
police system and not the present
woeful inefficiency OF the Topeka po-
lice force that il the basis for criti-
cism In the report on this subject that
has been made by the Russell Sage
Foundation survey department, ~ a
result Of its recent Investigations in
this city. It was not to be expected
that these investigators, during the
brief time they were here, could ia
miliarixe themselves with the actual
work of the force. or compare 1t with
the police service that has prevailed
in Topeka. But the people Of Topeka
have long since reached the conclu-
sion. and not without excellent war
rant. that they are getting poorer po-
lice protection and service than ever
before in the history Of the city.
For some time now. 1t appears that
the police force has devoted its at
tention almost exclusively to the
chase Of the festive bootlegger, the
suppression of the few houses OF i'll
fame that have put in an appearance
In town. and the rounding up Of boys
for smoking in violation Of the law.
This is necessary police work. The
force would be negligent and exceed.
ingly remiss in its duties were not
these matters attended to. But to
look after them to the apparent exclu-
sion of other and equally. If not moro,
important police work. has resulted
in Topeka having become a center for
= carnival OF crime that IL outrageous.
Burglaries and robberies are an ev-
burglaries come along at the rate Of
four or five a day. or night. There
were thirty reported for a recent
month. The hold-up man now feels
DO secure that he won't be molested
by the police that he has ceased to
pursue defenceless woman, like he
was doing a little while ago. He now
works out on the men and in gangs
Of two or three, he naturally has one
man at his mercy. There have been
several such holdups in Topeka re-
Gently. Take the one the other night
in the state house grounds near the
corner of Tenth and Harrison streets.
The victim. a sober and industrious
citizen, was on his way home shortly
after 10 o'clock. Three burly negroes
jumped on him. One held a gun in
his face. Another smashed him with
knucks. He was found battered and
bruised on the ground q little later
by other citizens on their way home.
His pockets had been rif1ed and
among other things. he had lost $50
in money, his weeks wages. And 1t
is such outrages that tell the story Of
police neglect in Topeka.
1t is true. no doubt. that the def
ciencies of the police system are re-
sponstble for deficiencies In the forcs.
The Sage foundation IL quite right in
it's suggestions that the force is too
small; that the hours of work de-
manded Of its members are too long;
and that tie pay is@Hot sufficient to
attract the best possible men to the
! work. Reforms of this sort would
naturally work in the direction Of a
| more efficient force.
But Topekans can remember in
| times past, when the police system
was practically the same. that their
town was not a mecca for burglars
and thugs. And so the criticism
would appear justified that the pres
ent inefficiency Of the police force ID
not due entirely to the deficiencies
of the system. Therefore. the present
personnel Of the force and its man.
agement must be at fault. There
must be a wrong conception in the
/ latter Of the main duties Of a police
rect the force along the lines that
would not only give Topeka clean
| city, but also a safe one.
1t is exceedingly disagrseable to
discuss the personnel Of the force
There can be no doubt that NEST Of
its members are well-meaning fellows
who are doing the very best they
know how. But as the Sage founda.
ton suggests, it takes more than q
uniform and a book Of rules to make
i 4 policeman. But II fails to go on t.
state that experience Is a most impor-
} tant factor in the development Of ar
} efficient police force. Such expert
ence Is almost unknown on the pres.
ent force. The. experienced police
men that have been developed in To-
peka have been tossed to the discart
+ for one reason and another. possibl,
in many instances because Of persona
and political prejudices. So the man
agement of the force during the pas
|. few years would. seem to be more t,
blame in this respect than It's per
sonnet. Had the Topeka police forc
= been maintained on the same plan
; as the fire fighting force. an,
t not been made = political football o
. a creature Of whims. 1t II pFobabl
!. that 1t would be equal to the demand
3 upon it.
II F.ut avian that would he irnnoaaibl
e were the attentions of the force ii
rected almost exclusively to one kim
Of police work. Az soon az the bur
7 glars and thugs ascertain that all tn
time of a police force II devoted I