Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-03-30
WHO RUNS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT?

chief of police is not even permitted place wthou
interference from one source or another the chief
eep detail matters this what chanc
him perform the greater duties of his ofieef
that the city charter make the mayor the head
the police department 1t the charter adp
ted away back Perth Amboy of about
population police but thre
men This charter has been one of handps the city
has had to contend with development How much longer
che people will satisfied along under such anquad
system tell Other municipalities by undermining their
form OF government forging ahead while Pedh Amboy
nnuddling along
TO further compcate matters the Board of Aldermen have
sdopted regulations governing the police force which
an attempt made relieve the of his responsibility
head of the police department place all authority the hands
M the police committee Aldermen which
chat the chairman committee would be the apowerfu
But any regulations adopted by the aldermen
syn city ordinance supercee the laws of the sate and
the city charter the mayor the head of the police
department of the legislature 1t would therefore,
sa rules and regulations under which Alderman Waters
chairman of the police committee working are invalid insofar
ms they take authority the and give to the police
eornmitSe Of The Board of Aldermen, en,-~~~-,-> -
Alderman is quite right in insisting that the mayor
esnnot sagreebe features of running the police de-
partnent police committee and assert his authority only
thinks he can gain some personal advantage thereby With
such divided authority wonder that the police force is
efficient is 1t just another illustration OF the need OF
change in the city, form of government
With commission elected by the city at large
Of whom direct charge of all matters pertaining to public
safety in the city such thing divided authority Bet
ter STILL five employ city manager who runs the
city as business and the people get efficient
service with the utmost economy.
But the present squabbe the police department rdicu
o If the mayor and aldermen sufficient confidence
L;o hi 5110 in
the assignment his men, placing where he believes they will
be the most efficient then they got chief in whom they
can have such confidence matter of conf
dence the public have confidence Chief Tonnesen
as far as running police department concerned than they
have in the who trying to dictate to him. has como to
pretty pass when the chief assign Of his to
sertan post without the mayor and the chairman of the police
committee getting into a over the matter.
Why should the mayor aldermen butt in at all? Why
oud they busy themselves with such petty detas
Gave they not enough other things to dos
Alderman Waters his letter to the mayor, speaks of the
shardship and tasks endure in his effort to the
s of running the whole department He further speaks Of
As "trias and trbuaons Of his committee if it some
ming that he would gladly rid Of If assuming the RESPONSE
Ay of running police department such disagreeable task
Ds would think that the chairman of the police committee would
slsdy let the chief attend the details possible and long
a. the police were giving good service he would be glad to be
relieved of so much work
The public had supposed the chief had at least some
saw in running police department. but this rivalry between
the mayor chairman of the police committee over
inple thing the assignment of man to do traffic duty
ows clearly gurehead the chief really is Why not put
he chairman of the police committee in uniform and do away
- "a chief of police atogetherF
me police department function properly under such
ndons as exist today The mayor thing the chair
ian Of the police says another and the chief would like
do something the public is concerned the prefer
ce is to let the his department his and If
makes failure it, put his place At least he
u9ht to be given a chance.
The present petty squabble nothing but disgust
hen the people have become sufficiently dgusted they have it
their power reyoutionze the city government abolish
nquated city place Amboy in line with
progressive cities Of the state where she belongs