The Washington times., 1922-06-06
WashingtOnPO Policemen
Under Charges
By BILL PRICE.

people were unaccustomed to reading in news
papers of arrests of Washington policemen on
charges ranging from highway robbery to plain
brutality. Prior to the world war, and in the
days when the force was made up wholly of
Washington men, such thing policeman
being incarcerated for hold-up or larceny was
almost unknown
1t is not agreeable to note the number of
local policemen who have become enmeshed
in the tolls of the law in the last year or 80.
Doubtless the subject is receiving the most
careful thought and attention of Chief SUI
LIVAN of the police force, and Commissioner
OYSTER, in charge of the department. The
public, in the meantime, should not lose con-
fdence in the force, which, in the main, is
composed of honest, honorable men, the ma
jority of them long time residents of the Dis
trict whose life records above reproach
Until the regime of the late Major PULL
MAN, the police force was made up of Wash
ington men, who must have resided here at least
two years before appointment. They were
selected by the head of the department, after
oral examinations. They furnished letters from
local men of prominence attesting their in
tegrity their honesty, their ability, and there.
was personal knowledge or tnelr lives.
Apparently, the duty of selecting appointees
to the force grew irksome to the then chief,
and he requested the Civil Service Commits
sion, courtesy, to make educational tests
of applicants for appointment the character
qualifications still remaining to some extent, in
the hands of police officials Then followed the
law reorganiZing the police force, the Civil
Service Commission being directed to establish
eligible lists from examinations to be held in
every city in the United States.
From that time to this, in spite of the fact
that the police department requires five let
ters from each eligible before his appointment,
testifying to his character, the personnel Of
the force has not been as satisfactory in the
old days.
Unfortunately the war brought vast changes
in the force. True and tried resi- gned to
accept positions paying them more money.
Others resigned to go to war, and never re-
turned. Hundreds of new men had to be
brought in. Nearly all appointees are
former service men, some with over-developed
ideas of military discipline and the rough stuff
of army days The result has been arrests of
comparatively large number of policemen on
serious charges, including brutal blackjackng
of persons arrested on minor charges who hap
pened to defy, protest or resist.
Civil service examinations are responsible to
a large degree Tor tneSe InlnSS, SO shocking 10
the general public. The one weakness charac
terizing most civil service examinations is ap-
parent in this police situation. A civil service
examination for policeman clerk or any other
position emphasizes the educational accom-
plishments of the applicant. 'Book learning"
is more than 80 per cent of the entire test.
Character, fitness, integrity, fidelity to duty
hardly enter as factors.
New policemen for the District now come
from every State in the Union. If they can
pass moderate educational tests they 60 upon
the eligible lists. If they happen to be called
for appointment they furnish to the proper
officials of the police department five letters
testifying to their character. 1t is not difficult
to get such letters They may even be fakes
The police department looks into these letters
as best it can, but that it has been badly duped
as to some of them has already been shown.
Two three policemen who were arrested for
serious crimes, furnished splendid letters Of
Endorsement from congressman and Senators.
Character is not formed In school houses. It
Is made in the homes Of the country or is in
bred. Book learning Is important in the actvi-
ties of life, but it Is not worth nickel if there