Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-07
ORDERS PURITY SQUAD
BACK into UNIFORM
Chief Werner Abolishcs System
Which Has Led To Much
Complaint.
MUST NOT SEARCH BAGGAGE
Werner Tells Men They Have No
Right TO Lool, Into suit Cases for
Liquor Unless Owner Is Arrested
and Taken to Station House.

ana 1akcn IT. station House.
Orders abolishing tho So-called "pu-
: rity squad Mere issued hast night hy
jor Louis Werner. chief of Police,
who again repeated warning TO
members OF the force 10 refrain from
searching personal baggage without
warrant. This action "aS taken after
a lengthy conference with Mayor
George Ainsli. and was the result OF
numerous complaints from travellers
who objected TO tho obnoxious atten-
tions of certain police officers on duty
at railroad stations.
All members OF the purity squad
were ordered 10 repor, 10 therr pre-
cinct captains in uniform for regular
duty. The order however applies
to Patrolman Harry sweet docs no,
become effective Until the officer COM
plctes work on a spcciai case ia which
he was assigned by Major Werner,
This will take several days.
Major Werner held a long conference
with the Mayor yesterday afternoon
In regard 10 the activities Of the police
assigned 10 the purity squat Tho.
matter was brought to Il head by the
complaint Of Charles l.. stanton. oil
2500l-2 kcnsincton Avenue. WHO
claimed that he was ordered 10 leave
station, and thou go with an officer
to the station where tool Kit was
Searched for cuntraband liquor. On
finding that Mr.. Staunton had 70
liquor he was permitted I" proceed 10
his home. lie asserted that h" was
greatly Inundated by tho action OF
the police which WAS observed by
many persons.
SWEET ADMITS THAT
BAGGAGE WAS SEARCHED
Patrolman Sweet admitted TO Major
Werner that the baggage OF MIR. Staun-
ton had been searched, but asserts that
no objection was made. Mr.. Staunton.
according 10 Sweet. commended the
officers for their diligence in trying
TO make the prohibition Law effective.
Major Werner WAS very emphatic in
his instructions To members 81 the
force in regard 10 searching the per-
sonal baggage Of persons entering tho
city. After the conference with the
Mayor h. again took occasion to warn
police officers not to exceed their legal
right The order which Will he read
ut all roll-calls to-day is as follows:
"Numerous reports have reached me
that officers OF this department have
searched personal baggage. Their" has
not hecn IN instancc in Which com
plaint has been madc at this office or
to captains at stations. The men have
been instructed fully along this line
of duty, that they have no right to
search mans baggage. unless such
man is arrested and taken to tho sta
ton house.
~. tSiSnod, louis WERNER,
w Chief cf Police"
The detailing Of mon 10 duty ii plain
clothes for tho detection Of certain
oncnScS WAS the result Of tho closing
of the segregated district This squad
WAS furtllrr Increased when prohibition
became effective. Such Il sauai has
proved hc;.~ objectionable, and many
complaints Of the activities " the mon
have been made from time 10 time.
but, according TO Major Werner. none
has been brought Ia him Major Wcr-
uer Is Nrm in his belief that III" detail
has don. enoctiv. work. in spite OF
the severe condemnation.
HAS BEEN ACTIVE
~ MAKING ARRESTS
Patrolrnau sweet has been one Of the
most active mcmhcrS of tn" SQUAD,
and has figured ia many arrests. MANY.
cases which would have failed had uni
formed officers been detailed were
worked M succ,A.rfuilyf ~ him Tho
activities ~ ih..4sG-Aa- around til" mil
road stations, however has not mo,
with favor. as tile capture OF boot
1egGers has ncccSsitatcd tn. Subiection
of innocent travellers 10 hardshipS aud
humiliation, Notwithstanding. tho fact
that some Offenders have boon brought
TO tho bar OF Justice who would otnrr,.
wise have escaped thu NiSiiat4o, Of The
police.
Sweet was greatly surprised nj thc
complaint mad" hv Mr. Sttuu,on. who
WAS detained on Saturday ''tsh, whit"
"a.