New Britain herald., 1922-06-17
Police Board Warns that Violators Will be Just as Rigidy Prosecuted and as Closely Watched
Retirement of Chief William J. Rawlings on Pension Will Become Effective on August 1.
HART SUGGESTED
 AS POSSIBILITY


 have seen fit to abolish special squad d-the so-called squad from steady duty in this capacity, it | does not mean that the lid is off" in New Britain, it was stated today On the contrary, the law will be just as rigidly enforced, the police will have just as many men available for this work and viotators will be just as se- verely dealt with.
 At the meeting of the police board last night, in addition to retiring Chief w. J. Rawlings on a pension, effective August 1, the board took the above action.
 That this action was taken contrary to the advice and wishes of States Attorney Hugh M. Alcorn seems to be generally admitted, as it is understood that MT. Alcorn even went so far as to recommend increasing the person. nel of the vicesquad.
 Distinction-No Difference.
 As the situation now stands, relA- tive to the vice squad. it is a distinc- ton without difference. The boards opinion is that the ice-squad was detailed to clean up illicit liquor deal- ings here and now that this has been satisfactorily done, it's duties as special squad cease. Hereafter it will be the duty of the police on various beats to assume responsibility for conditions in their vicinity. The de- tective bureau will also add to its list of duties. Then. at any time that the chief sees fit to assign special men to Io al tion he is at liberty to do so Tn | nutshell. the change means that the 1 ponce will have just as many men available for cleanup work, the dif- ference being that they will be as- signed from time to time for indi. vidnal cases. rather than be detailed to this particular job with nothing else to do
 Was Secret Session.
 Although last nights meeting of the police board was what might be called a star chamber session." no reporters being admitted. the con- missioners did, after transactine their business, invite the press in to receive a resume of the work transacted.
 Favors Chiefs Retirement. .,
 ;, Al retirement on a pension. was brieny worded in a written request simply stating that after 22 years of service in the department, he desired retire. ment. The board voted favorably on the petition.
 Maietta -Bamforth Matter.
 What was probably the most inn portant matter discussed was that much talked of Maietta- -Bamforth af- fair, in which there was some talk of the lieutenant receiving a complaint that A. J. Richardson, then detective sergeant in the police department, had identified himself with a gang of bootleggers and thieves who held up and stole a load of liquor near Wall lingtord, in May, 1920
 It had been reported that the chief disclaimed that the lieutenant had ever called his attention to it. but from an unofficial source today. it was learned that as a result of what last night, the complexion took on an entirely different hue, with . the result that as far as Bamforth is concerned the matter is closed. To- day the impression prevails, that Rawlings has assumed the blame for the affair, thereby averting another sensation in the police department.
 Vice Squad to Go.
 Commissioner Edwin A. Parker and Commissioner Thomas F. Jackson. who were named committee at ast Tuesdays meeting on the matter ,f the abolition of the so-caled vice. ot night. In the future, there will be no 'ice-squad, the board decided last light. It was voted that all special york be placed directly in the charge if the detective bureau, and at such imes as the chief may deem it neces- ary. men will be detailes to assist n this work. In this manner, all members of the partolmen force, will 70 held accountable for the conduct f their beats, and in cases where af- airs exist that the department feel houd not the policeman on that eat will be brought before the board or an accounting. The board ft<ls hat the work of ferreting out such rime as liquor law violations may be ather difficult for a man in blue uni- orm ana brass buttons. IT Will here- fter be the duty of the policemen, if hey find that they cannot secure de- fred information to warrant a convic- lon, to bring the matter to attention f the detective bureau. This bureau hen will secure a detail 10 proceed -ith the investigation of such com laints.
 This action means that Patrolmen homas Feeney and Patrick O'Mara, ill again have to don the uniform. hey may however, be selected from me to time, by the chief in conduct- \ g special investigations. but their ork will not be steady as has been le rule in the past. Under the new Hing of the board, any patrolmap