Evening journal., 1919-02-04
CHESTER Police
Chief RESIGNS
Ret res in Face of II
Charges of Alleged Mis-
conduct in Office
HAD FAITH IN
OWN INNOCENCE

CHESTER, Pa. Feb. l-Chief of Po-
lice John Vance and Desk Sergeant
Robert Law, brother-in-law Of Mayor
w. S. Mcdowell. Of the Chester police
force, have presented their designations
and both were accepted by Council.
few days ago former Assistant Dis
trict Attorney j. Borton Weeks laid
eleven charges OF misconduct In office
against each OF these men, with a re-
quest that they resign for the good OF
the department. At a private meeting,
at which Weeks as counsel was pres
ent. along with Mayor Mcdowell and
the members Of City Council, Vance
answered each Of the allegations made
against him. He admitted he was
technically guilty OF some Of the things
alleged against him, but claimed the
responsibility for this should be placed
upon the shoulders Of the Mayor, who
had made changes in the assignment
Of officers, after the chief had placed
them where he thought they would do
the most good in cleaning up the city
Of disorderly houses and gambling
PLACES.
The letters Of resignation of both
Vance and Law indicated that they had
some assurance that II their cases went
10 trial Council would have acquitted
them. In advance OF the testimony In
the possession Of Attorney Weeks be-
ing given, 10 Is hard 10 see how any
such assurance could be given by the
Mayor and Council, but Council acceed-
I'd TO the construction as TO what may
- h 4NmN
and sergeant and let them down easy
by accepting their designations.
already the charges against these
h two men and their separation from the
police department has had its effect.
The other officers are showing more
disposition 10 do the right thing than
at any time In the past two years.
The letter of Chief Vance to the
Mayor and Councils Is as follows -,
Il am in receipt OF information from
YOU that yourself and members Of City
Council have concluded. upon hearing
the evidence and my replies to the
same. that ! am not guilty OF any Of
the charges preferred against me by
j. Barton Weeks. | thank you for this
decision.
For sevgi years I have directed the
Police Department and those familiar
with the work can testify 10 the vast
Improvement made and the work ac-
complished.
During the year 1918 the department
made over four thousand arrests and
turned over $4,000 to the City Treas
urer.
During the entire war period the
city has suffered from and cared tor a
floating population OF about 10000 peo-
pie, many OF whom were very undesir-
able characters. who gave the Police
Department much extra work. and yet.
through 1t all the department has done
wonderful service In the face Of most |
trying conditions.
mo human being Is perfect and we |
may have made mistakes. which were |
Of the head and not OF the heart but |
taking everything into consideration,
the policemen under me and myself |
have given to Chester good services |
and protection SECOND to no other Po-
lice Department IN the State Of Penn
sylvanla,
Even in the face OF the fact that /
am not guilty OF the charges preferred
against me by ]. Borton Weeks. I am
so thoroughly discouraged and disgust
ed with the unwsrranted attacks that
! hereby tender my resignation as chief
OF police 10 take effect at once" Il
The letter OF Sergeant Law is along
similar lines. Expressing belief that the /
Mayor and Council would not find him
guilty II the charges had gone 10 a