The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-12-14
SAFE HIGHWAYS
TO Be GOAL OF
POLICE LEADER
FLYING SQUADRON OF MOTOR.
CYCLE OFFICERS TO CLEAN
UP RECKLESS DRIVERS.
SOME CHANGE IN EQUIPMENT

COulIulsblOuer f1dTTy H. JdChoou VI
the Department Of Public Safety. In
announcing his plans for the further
improvement of the department, has
decided to make the uniformed branch
OF the Michigan State Police a separ-
ate division and to give especial at
tention to highway matters. He finds
that the improved roads OF the state
have become unsafe IL many sections
because of the increase in reckless
and illegal driving.
"The uniformed force Of the depart
ment, will be under one head" states
Commissioner Jackson. "and will
function as a separate part Of the de-
partment. A very important part Of
it's work will have to do with high
way travel. There is need Of strict
repressive measures to make Michi-
gan highways safe for the general
public. and it is probable that before
warm weather next year there will be
a flying squadron in being which will
be under the command Of one officer
and will be moved from one part of
the state to another to handle this
highway work effectively. Naturally,
the places where accidents are most
frequent and speeding most dangerous
will be cleaned up first. This squa-
dron will cooperate with sheriffs and
other local officers and welcome their
advice.
Not Seekinq Arrests.
"In dealing with violators of the
highway laws, the point cannot be
stressed too strongly that the policy
will not be to make great number
of arrests for technical violations, but
rather to warn and advise drivers and
to resort to arrests only to the extent
that such action is necessary to check
recklessness, carelessness and disre-
gard of the law and of the rights and
safety of others.
1T is my opinion that the detach-
ment posts now established for the
uniformed men of the Michigan State
Police should be retained and, per-
haps, other posts added II the circum-
stances warrant. These posts serve
a useful function in that they furnish
moned in any emergency. Peace off,
GERS in the districts in which they are
located know where these posts are
and know that they can communicate
with them when they require assist
ance.
Aid In Emergencies.
In such unusual cases as some
times develop. where community
whose police officers are sufficient in
number to handle any ordinary situa-
ton, finds a condition suddenly Great.
ed, necessitating the aid Of state
force In order to maintain order and
protect life and property. the Michi-
gan State Police will, am sure, al
ways be equipped and ready for the
duty"
Conditions under which the Michi-
gan State Police work have minimized
the number Of cases in which horses
are required. However, It Is not the
present policy Of the department to
do away with horses entirely. There
are occasions in which mounted men
are able to do far better work than
men on foot or on motorcycles.
"Some changes In the uniform and
equipment OF the State Police are un-
der consideration. 1t is probable that
for ordinary duty the men win not
carry the large revolvers on army
belts which are now regulation. This
does not mean that the officers will
be unarmed or that they will not use
the heavier weapon when on duty re-
auiring such equipment. such as night
duty and other emergencies when
dealing with persons who may be ex-
pected 70 shoot In resisting arrest"