Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-06-05
SPECIAL POLICE
AUTHORITY NOW
IS CHALLENGED
Attorney in Police Court Brings
Up Point Affecting $50
Such Officers

Have the special policemen Of
Honolulu any authority Does the
commission given special police
officer by the sheriff mean anything
or is 1t merely worthless scrap of
paper.
Questions like these arose in the.
police court in the trial Of Nianhoe. a
Hawaiian, charged with assaulting a
police officer. Ben Jacobson, of the
liquor inspectors department.
Attorney Lorrin Andrews, defend
ing Niauhoe, maintained Jacobson was.
70 more a police officer than he was.
Prosecutor Chillingworth contended
On the other hand that jacobson had
every right and authority to make ar
rests. Judge Monsarrat seemed to Ia
vor Andrews argument, but took the
matter under adyisement until next
Wednesday.
If the Judge rules that Jacobson
had no authority the standing Of
about $50 special policemen working
under circumstances similar to Jacob
son viii be affected.
Many Are Affected.
The city jail is. agog with excite
ment. Even the commission of Will
liam FenneIl, liquor inspector, is ques-.
toned. ". H. Hutton, probation Off
Ger, is acting under such commits,
sion, it is said.
Niauhoe is accused of assaulting
Jacobson when the latter placed him
under arrest in Kalihi on May % ON
charge of selling liquor withontslal
license.
: Attorney Andrews didn't bother
about the assault: he put up instead.
WAS Jacobson q police officers?
mo person can be police officer
in the City and County of Honolulu
unless he has passed the civil service
exapination and has been placed on
the eligibility list said Andrews.
Andrews took the stand himself
and testified, as chairman Of the civil
service commission, that jacobson
had never passed q civil service ex-.
animation, was not on the eligibility
list and therefore could not be ,po-
liceman.
Prosecutor Chiffhgworth laughed
and the Judge looked wise, but sew.
eral in the courtroom sat up when.
Andrews read
Section 1872, Revised Laws of Ha-
wall No person shall hold OF. be. APP
pointed to any position either in the
police department or in the fire de-
partment Of the City and County of
Honolulu without the approval Of the.
commission (civfl service), in accord
ance with its rules and regulations.
Mr.. Andrews said there was no au--
thority for Jacobson's appointment
nor any approval Of such by the COM
mission.
Prosecutor Chillingwortn explained
that Jacobson wal IA special officer
working under Liquor Inspector VII
liam Fennell and not for the police
department. Since jacobson is not
on the police payroll and holds no
position in the police department,
Chillingworth contended that he was
not affected by the statute
Deputy Sheriff Explains.
We have special policemen with
out pay scattered all over the island, /"
said Deputy Sheriff Asch. All watch
men for warehouses, hotels and bust
ness blocks are working under such
commissions. Up Manoa Valley. in
Kalihi Valley. in remote country
place we have created special police
men who are paid by the residents Of
those communities. On the wharyesSI
in the Capitol grounds, at the goyernR
ment works az these special police
men. Every bailiff in the circuit
court has such 3 commission Every
plantation has a special officer ap-
point by us, but received no pay from
the city and county. The practise has
been common as far back as ! can re-
member in this department to give
commission and a badge to respon.
sibla persons who have been selected