The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-17
Appointments to Washington
Police Force
By BILL PRICE.


The police and fire protection committee of the Washington
Chamber Of Commerce record in favor Of appointing
District residents to the police and fire departments The
idea is an excellent and should be taken up with the
Commissioners with the view of having the present regulations
law covering these appointments changed that District
residents should at least have preference over applicants
from all sections of the country.
Prior to December 1919 applicants for positions the
police force required to have lived in the District
least two years before appointment Under that
the Civil Service Commission gave somewhat perfunctory
Quoted the physical examinations and made the investigations
into the characters and standing Of the applicants
The result that the force pretty free from Of
from the nearby States Of Virginia Maryland and West
Virginia they felt personal interest in this city and had
clean living
The world greatly disrupted the police force of pre-
Of the force for war service and many designations through
tempting offers Of higher pay in industry and business the
force dwinded far below the maximum fixed by law It
became difficult to build up from local Then at the
request Of the District Commissioners Congress passed the
law mentioned which placed the examination Of applicants
In the hands Of the Civil Service Commission and removed
the requirements as to local residence.
For time after the present law went into effect the
In drawing their salaries than in identification with wash
tngton Some bad eggs became policemen, despite the
efforts to ascertain their past histories It comparatively
acter certificates signed And is not easy to ascertain
the histories Of from all parts Of the country who may
be put upon police registers for appointment.
The heads Of the police department have in the last few
years. been successful than just after the in getting
BOOU uIen On the 4OrC0 nave maze OF the
bad who got in despite precautions to keep them
The safeguards are more stringent than before.
the deficiency appropriation bill which failed in Congress
had gone through would have authorized the appointment
Of 1875 additional to the force allow oneday
each week for local policemen Although the Comptroller
General has ruled that the increased pay provided in that
bill shall be given the members Of the force anyhow his
ruling does not apply to new men to be appointed.
Congress expected however to make early provision
for the necessary money when meets in December
this will draw to the police force at least 165 who
under present laws and regulations may be appointed from
any part of the United States.
TO back to the old law Of twoyear residence the
District would probably require Congressional amendment
but might be possible for the Civil Service Commission
request Of District authorities to establish ruling
giving preference in appointments to applicants who have
lived Washington at least year. At any rate whether
legislative amendment is is necessary the Commits
one should seek to have the present arrangements changed
so that District residents will have preference.
The increased salaries ought to attract excellent
the force and thereby aid in building the department
which has been doing effective work and establishing itself
in the good will Of the people Of the community It will
much easier for investigators Of the police department.
get line the characters Of who living here than
those living in remote parts Of the country In addition
to this Washington better adapted to the work
be done