Norwich bulletin., 1921-06-21
CLAIMS STATE POLICE HAVE
 NOT LOST IN EFFICIENCY

Criticism that outlying sections of the state are not adequately protected be- cause of the small number of men on the state police force was answered by Supt. Thomas F. Egan in Hartford, who as serted emphatically that the department was able to cope with any problem that came up. He denied that the department had fallen in any way and said that the records of arrests and prosecutions could easily prove that the state police was working with efficiency.
 The standard of the state police de partment has not gone down at all. re- gently, or at any time" said Superinten- dent Egan. Those who have any doubts may easily be satisfied by examining the records of arrests and prosecutions in our force. It will compare well with any of the departments in the larger centers, or with any state constabulary.
 We have lost few men as the result of some resignations, but they left for their own reasons I was sorry to lose State Policeman Alfred L. Rudd, and particularly regretted the resignation of Lieut. Robert W. Bridgeman, a man who has been with us for 10 or F years. They | are both good men in their line and l had hoped that they would reconsider and remain with us.
 These men simply said they wanted to leave. I heard later that they said they left because they couldn't get along with a certain man in the department. l At the present time we are naturally waiting for the action of the new com mission. In the case of Bridgeman's res | ignation, believe our commission would have asked him to stay. As I have al- ready said, he has done some good work | I want to say that this is not one man department. All the men in thi; department are state policemen first want to point out that Walter F. Stiles is an efficient officer, and not primarily ar assistant sealer of weights and measures Both Stiles and Officer Verrill have don, some excellent work, notably in the cas, of the Donahue murder, involving tn, death of young newspaperman in Fair field county. They were complimenteC by States Attorney Cummings for thu way they cleaned up the case TheJ should be given the credit that is dut them.
 If there is any criticism at this time 1t should be borne in mind that there i. no commission directing us. We are 1T q process of change, but we are going on with our work every minute. I havt been in this department a long time anC know that our men are doing thei work.
 Concerning the dismissal of Stat Policeman Thomas A. Mitchell, I hav never made any hazy statements abou his case. After his accident there was lapse of considerable period because h.
 was unable to appear, owing to his con
 dition. When his case came up befor
 the commission he failed to appear for
 hearing, and he was dismissed. I neve
 knew exactly why Ae was dismissed, S
 far as any official statement was con cerned. The records of his dismissal ar
 In the hands of the commission. ''The Parsons case has been handle ] efficiently. I had three men on the seen of tho murder soon after I was notifie
 of tho affair. The service was prompt a soon as the coroner sent word that Pal sons had been killed. Captain Hurle was appearing in an important case an , he could not be immediately assigned {
 the work. sent him up there as 500 z as possible.
 } That is the situation as the stat
 police department stands today. IT ] force can stand on it's record and in m opinion criticism of the department . unjustifed. I want to say publicly tn;
 l am not ID position or in any mood |. apologize"