The Omaha morning bee., 1924-05-15
OmdhdWhere theMest is at its Best
POLITICS AND THE POLICE FORCE.

= house divided against itself can not stand.
Neither can a police force whose members are at
variance concerning policies and politics be the ef-
fcient machine the public has right to expect just
as soldier is required to give his full allegiance to
the flag under which he is enlisted, so should po-
ceman maintain unquestioning loyalty to the de-
partment of which he is member. Discipline is the
vital force that sustains any organization in ef-
fectiveness, and discipline can not be estapiisneo
where there are cliques and factions, opposing and
thwarting the purposes and policies of the leaders
These automatic observations need no argument
to support them. Any business realizes the abb
soute necessity of having loyal organization to
carry on his business and does not hesitate to re-
move anyone who is disloyal. And part of the
citys business is of greater Importance than the po-
lice force. Only when it is harmoniousy and unani-
mously devoted to the duty of protecting the lives
End property of the citizens, to detecting crime and
Furnishing criminals, to the enforcement of the law
and the mainteance and preservation Of order, is
the police force justifying its existence.
Commissioner Henry Dunn takes bold step in
direction which he says will lead to better condi-
tions on the Omaha police force Both in the inter-
est of economy and for the preservation Of harmony.
he has removed 81 members from the force Some
of these have served many years in uniform and one
has risen to the position Of lieutenant. Against
them it is alleged they have been engaged In factional
politics No police commissioner will assume to be
the keeper of the conscience of the men under his
direction. He not afford to interfere with the
free conscience or the full exercise of patroman s
political rights Such an attempt would be tyranni-
cal and would be sternly rebuked by the citizens
But the commissioner has right to demand Of
all who under him answering loyalty to the
police department of Omaha. Men serving are
~ uhapt dvida themselves into
opposing and clashng groups, favorng, the other
crticizng the man at the head of the department.
The law provides certain remedy for any grev-
ance real fancied, but it does not contemplate pro-
tecting anybody in what is equivalent to treason
Commissioner Dunn rightly assumes that the re-
suit of the election is approval of his course as
superintendent of police He went before the voters
on that record, and subjected to considerable
criticism as the campaign went on. The voters re-
turned him to office. Now he has set about to re-
construct police department not on the basis of
loyalty to Henry Dunn but of loyalty to the public
interests of Omaha. In this he will meet with sup
port from the citizens understanding that he has
been clothed with power and authority, will he be
held responsible to the utmost for what comes out
of hi. effort
Thirty-six years ago the metropolitan police law
went into effect in Omaha, Its purpose was to take
the police force out of politics. One OF the unfor-
seen results was to put politics into the police depart
ment Continually since then the service has suffered
from the one cause. Efficiency has been nterfered
with, and good service marred by reason of the fac
tona differences that have pervaded the department
from the top to the bottom. Much of this has been
ascribable to outside influence. Since we have had
the commission form of government conditions have
been rather forse than before. Whether it was
Ryder, Kugel, Ringer, Dunn, Butler or Dunn again,
he commissioner in charge has been harrassed and
side. Discipline has been impossible and the work
Of the police department has suffered beyond esti-
nation.
Henry Dunn Is the first man to hold the "troube
job who has been reelected This implies that the
voters are content with his method of doing business.
partment that will be nearly free from internal
dissension and dscord is possible. His first move
is in the direction of saving $4,000 to avoid de-
felt Of that amount the year. This necessitated
the cutting off of number Of men and reduction of
expense in other directions. In selecting the men
for dismissal he says he chose those who best could
be spared, in interest of harmony and efficiency.
Naturally, the proceeding causes much COM
ment, and threats of suit made. Perhaps moth
ing will be lost II the matter does go into court and
judicial determination of the be had. The big
thing for the public is police force that will at
tend to the business of policemen, and let politicians
look after the politics of the community.