New Britain herald., 1925-01-28
BOARD DECIDES ON
 GRABECK HEARING
Police Commission EXonerateS
 CossroVe on Abuse Charge

Formal charges will be lodged against Patrolman William Grabeck, alleged by Louis Squillacote of l6 Maple street, to have mistreated him while placing him under arrest sev- eral weeks ago, us a result of action taken byhthe board of police com missioners lat a special meeting last night. The action was taken after Commissioner Thomas r. Jackson submitted a report to the board on the hearing given the patrolman on complaint of Squillacote.
 Commissioner Jackson told the board that the discipline committee had given q hearing to Grabeck and 1 PatrOlman Daniel CosgroVe ou the complaint made by Sqpillacote and had heard the stories of the police and the complainant, who brought q number of witnesses to testify. From the stories told the committee. Com missioner Jackson said that 1t was obvious that Patrolman Cosgroye at no time had abused the prisoner and recommended that he be eXonerated from all blame in the affair.
 Will subpoena Witnesses
 In regard to the complaint against Grabeck, the patrolman is alleged to have struck Squillacote with his club from the back without any warning and then swung him around and struck him in the forehead. Commissioner Jackson said that the stories of the incident told by the witnesses didn't tally and he felt that to get the truth of the affair, it would be necessary to subpoena sey- eral disinterested parties who are known to have witnessed it. To sub poena these witnesses the commits soner said that it would be ncces- sary to bring formal charges against Grabeck. The patrolman will not be suspended pending the hearing of the charges at a special meeting next Monday night.
 No Report On Doty No report was submitted to tht board on the hearing given Patrol man David Doty on a complaint
  Years eve on Main street, and who were subsequently, released by tho prosecuting attorney without ar raignment in court. The victims O the arrest alleged that Doty acted maliciously in arresting them. Com missioner Edwin A. Parker of tht discipline committee, who conducted the hearing, was not present at las nights meeting.
 Budget Discussed
 The budget of the police depart ment for the coming yea. as pre- pared by Chairman David L. Dunn Clerk Joseph A. McGrail and Chiei William c. Hart was accepted by the board after a discussion. Commis. sioner William F. Lange moved the acceptance of the report as prepar' |. ed, and Commissioner Jackson sec
 onded the motion.
 The installation of the flasl signal system about the city was in cluded in the list of the items asked for in the board, Commissions Jackson stating that he would be il favor of scrificing some Of the othe items to assure securing the system ton of $10,000 for this item, but i . was pointed out that these are out side figures as the board has no
 completely investigated the cost 0 ! installation. Chairman Dunn sai l that he believed that the cost wOul
 be under SS,00Q.
 Chief sticks To 1o Men
 l$ Commissioner Jackson said tha he felt the number of new patrol men asked in the budget could b
 cut from 15 to seven, but Chic ! Hart said that if it was choice be
 tween men and the flash signal sys
 tenn, he would take the additlont
 men as they were necessary to brin the force up to required strengt
 for the proper protection of tn
 city.
 The budget also calls for the pun
 chase of two additional motorcycle
 it being proposed to put on tw
 more motorcycle officers if the re quest for additional patrolmen
 granted. An appropriation of $500
 for cothingN allowance for mem
 bers of the department is include in the list of new items, the matte coming up before the city council
 a special meeting tonight on
 favorable report of committee al
 pointed to consider the matter.