Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-08-03
ARNOLD COMPLETES PLANS FOR PUTTING
STATE POLICE ON LARGER BASIS;
FOUR DISTINCT COMPANIES ORGANIZED

Jackson Arnold, superintendent
Of the department Of public safety
OF West Virginia has completed pre-
liminary plans in the reorganization
Of the state police that gives prom
Use Of assuring West Virginia one
OF the hest and most efficient polieed
states in the union.
Under authority of an act by the
Legislature, during its 1921 session
providing for larger force and
increases in the rate of pay, Colonel
Arnold, since the act became effec.
i've on July II, has been working
oft carefully planned and conserva-
lively laid details in connection with
Tcorganizing the department.
Four Companies Formed.
-Four companies will replace the
that have been officiating in the
past and Colonel Arnold has assign
ed them as follows:
Company A will have charge of
that territory, generally known as
the northern part of the state, COW
ering the same territory it had I'M
der Its original assignment Com.
pany B and Company D will remain
In Mtrgo county, owing to the pre-
vailing conditions there, until it is
deemed advisable to move members
OF the companies to points elsewhere
in the state. Company C will have
patrol Of that portion, known as
New River and Winding Gulf ter
ritory, including Raleigh, Fayette,
Part of Mercer and Kanawha, Sum
mers, Monroe and Greenbrier coun.
sties. Headquarters of C company
will probably be at Beckley.
n Owing to the greater extent of
'athe territory to be covered by com
srany A, that company will be main
tained to full authorized strength
As soon as conditions in Mingo coun-
by warrant, the assignments of Com
pany B will include what is known
as the Norfolk and Western terri
tory, between Kenova and Bluetield.
Company D will be assigned to the
Goal and Guyan rivers territory, TO
take In part Of Kanawha, Boone, Lin
coin. Logan and Wyoming counties.
: Maximum Strength 200 Men.
y The legislature act gives Colonel
AInoid authority to organize the
state police with maximum
strength of 200 men and officers, as
compared with 1876 under the old
daw. Colonel Arnold, however, stat
zed that the intention at present
was to organize on maximum
strength of not more than 200 men.
Each unit will in addition to the
commissions officers, have a non.
commissioned personnel of one first
sergeant, five sergeants and eight
corporals. The law provides for a
blanket increase in pay for men in
ALI ranks.
Equipping many Of the detach.
ments Of the four companies with
motorcycles, is regarded as an i'm
eportant factor In the reorganization
1by Colonel Arnold 1t will enable
the police to get to the scene Of any
disturbance that is likely to occur
in double quick time and make CO.
operation between the various de
tachments more accessible. Colonel
Arnold emphasizes the importance
OF having men equipped to get to
such disturbances before they have
gained serious proportions and thus
educe possibilities of major out
breaks.
The superintendent has assigned
the new state road commission tbs
most hearty cooperation Of its men
in enforcing the state road law,
which include automobile speeding.
The motor equipment of the depart
ment consists Of four automobiles
and Is motorcycles.
Enforce Game Laws.
During the last legislative session
there was re-enacted the state game
and hsh law with provision to
create a commission Of three mem.
hsrs IN place Of the single game war