South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-04-14
LIKENS DUTIES OF
POLICE TO THOSE
OF NEWS REPORTER
Glenn Hagerty Tells of Mutual
Interest as Public Servants
In Address.

The mutual connection between a
police officer and newspaper re-
porter in dealing with the public was
the basis of a talk delivered last
night to the members of the police
department by Glenn D. Hagerty, who
until few weeks ago had been a
member of the News-Times editorial
staff for the past five years, and who
at the present time is practicing law
in this city.
Hagerty has been in close touch
with police circles in connection with
his duties while employed by the
News Times and offered many good
suggestions to assist the men patrol
ling beats" Four years spent az
Notre Dame in the study of law.
from which he will graduate in June.
has fitted him with additional in
formation beneficial with police
routine.
The police officer and the news
paper reporter are public servants
and both have many duties that are
common to each other. The first
impression formed by the public, by
the actions Of the reporter and po-
liceman are attributed to the institu-
ton or body Of men they represent.
The action Of one man can mar the
respect of a citizen has for the en-
tire police force and ii is the duty Of
every pan TO perform his work in a
manner that viii do credit TO him
self and his fellow officers.
1T is a common belief that a
newspaper man and a police officer
should be able TO answer any and
all questions put TO them. At times
this information is desired seems
nOnsensical, but nevertheless an an
swer is expected. In this respect an
officer should be careful in trying to
please the public, especially when
information concerning the city -
wanted A courteous officer goes a
great ways towards giving A person
a good impression of the police force
and this is particularly true Of
strangers in the city.
Should Follow Tips"
ct has been my experience in the
past thar many tips" are offered
10 the p1trolman on the beat. Many
Of these tips seem worthless at the
time. but If one out Of ten material
ize, it is worth the trouble Of investi-
cation. Many such tips come to the
attention OF the reporter, which are
thoroughly investigated il the in
formant can be relied upon. What
seems least possible in producing re-
suits often turn out TO be the best
information. both in police and re-
portorial work
a good newspaperman will al
ways watch for the items he has
handed in with the view Of correct
ing any mistakes he may have COM
mitted. He viii then read the re-
ports Of the other reporters and
compare them with his method or
procedure. A good police officer
should also refer 10 the news items
concerning arrests made by him. not
for the publicity it gives but with
the view Of diagnosing his action in
the arrest. He should then thor
oughly familarize himself with the
arrests made by other officers. re-
Numbering the details of the case.
with the view OF watching for such
offenses in the future. good mem
DRY is one Of the prime requisites Of
both a police officer and a news re-
porter.
Every officer should employ the
best possible Judgment IN making
arrests and should carefully weigh
the situation before taking any ac-
ton. At no time should an officer
lose control OF himself while making
an arrest The best officer is the
man who can nd his beat OF trouble