Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-11-23
POLICE REORGANIZATION NEEDED.

There is certainly something radically wrong
with the organization of the Perth Amboy police
department when the superintendent of the de-
partment, better known as the chief of police'
is permitted to go off on a vacation at a time
when big things are doing in the way of law
erforcement. Instead of just starting on a va
cation, any official directly concerned who Is
awav at the time is usually recalled Immediately
so as to assist in the work.
Under our antiquated city charter the mayor
IS the head Of the police department.. The SUI
perintendent of police is supposed to be subject
10 the mayors orders. Naturally, when there Is
important work to be done the mayor, as the
head of the department. is notified along with
the chief of police. The chief is supposed to
carry out the mayors orders.
When Prosecutor Stricken. therefore. notified
the local authorities to clean up the city the re-
,ponsibility rested largely with the mayor. If the
police did not do their duty 1t was up TO the
mayor to know the reason why. Without salts
factory explanations he could suspend the de-
,aulting officers.
But with the suspension the mayors authority
,eases. Here is where divided authority in
handling the police department works havoc
with discipline. When an officer is suspended
his case is referred to the police committee OF
the Board of Aldermen for a hearing and final
action. Politics usually come first in anything
the Board of Aldermen have to do with. Usually
enough influence can be brought to bear to get
the accused police man off with a reprimand or,
at best with a fine. The offending policeman
then goes back on duty and is in a position to
laugh at the chief and to treat the mayor with
contempt. Every mayor the city has ever had has
run up against this situation sooner or later.
When Mayor Dorsey was notified by Prosecu-
tor Stricken that conditions had to be cleaned up
here in Perth Amboy or the prosecutor himself
would take a hand, the mayor, so we are inform
cd, put it up to the chief of police to get busy.
Later. when the prosecutor called on the local
authorities for an account of what they had ac-
complished and to know whether they were
through or not, it is understood the mayor began
negotiations with outside detective agency to
have men sent here to secure the necessary evil
dence.
1t was when the mayor took this drastic action,
1t is declared, that the chief of police decided to
go on a vacation whereupon the mayor ceased
his activities.
1t seems strange that the mayor who is the
chiefs superior officer, should have permitted
this important official to so on a vacation at
such a time. Surely the mayor could have told
him that he was needed and instructed him to
defer his vacation for a week or two, at least,
until the job was cleaned up. Apparently, the
mayor made an attempt to see the thing through
but got only half way.
But what can be said of a chief of police who
Is willing to go off on a vacation at such a critical
time? Here was an opportunity to wind up a
notable career as head of Perth Amboy's police
department with an achievement well worth
while. 1t was a glorious chance to pass out OF
,fice with the praises of a grateful people ring
ing in ones ears. He could have pointed with
pride to his final act. faithful up to the very last
n performing his duty as he saw it, as We like
20 think he has always done.
The chief chose rather to go off on a vacation
The mayor permitted him to do so. Perth Amboy
Then had the humiliation OF having the county
prosecutors staff come in here and get the evi.
dence that the local police practically confessed
they were either unable or unwilling to get
There is nothing, 1t seems to us, that more clear
iy indicates the need of a complete reorganiza
lion of the entire police department, a house
cleaning from top 10 bottom. than this utter
failure of the police to end the lawlessness tina
has been 20 rampant in Per-h Amboy for month.
rast.
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