New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1925-11-13
Board May M a k e
Clean Sweep, Fearing
Financial Risk From
Death Of Veterans
While on Duty.
Authority Granted by
Charter to Be Invoked
if 1t is Decided to Put
Elderly Men Oh Reserve
List.

II the application OF Mrs. Anna
English widow of Frank NJ. English,
the oldest member of the police de-
partment, who died during the hot
weather last summer. Is allowed
several members Of the police force
who have reached the point al which
they may be retired may have to
step out of active duty.
This is the opinion expressed by
police commissioners. who fear the
financial consequences to the city
If a precedent is established by the
courts and other elderly members
OF the force die while on duty.
Mrs. Englishs compensation claim
amounts to more than 10000. Her
husband expired suddenly on June
1 at police headquarters and she
filed a claim for compensation few
days ago The police commission
today formally notified Corporation
Co nsel John II. kirkham that 1t
would like to have the claim oppos-
ed. 1t Is likely that an appeal will
be taken from the decision of the
compensation commissioner regard
less Of whom his decision may favor.
Authority to retire members OF
the force is given to the police COM
mission under Section 4, Chapter
XXI of the city charter, which
reads as follows:
In addition to the regular and
supernumerary police force OF the
city of New Britain, there shall be
an honorary grade known as the
veteran reserve to which the board
Of police commissioners OF said city
may transfer any member OF the
police force who. shall, through age
or physical disabilities incurred in
The discharge of his duties, become
permanently disqualified for the ac-
tice duties OF the police department,
hut such transfer may be revoked
at any time the disability shall be
removed, and the member shall
thereupon be returned to active
duty in the police department. The
nay Of q member OF the veteran re-
serve shall be on~half pay, but the
hoard of police commissioners may
call upon any wember OF the veter-
an reserve for such temporary serv-
ices as he may be fitted to perform,
and during such services he shall
receive the full pay Of a regular
policeman"
Section . defines half pay" as
follows: LAS applied to all retire
mcnts that shall hereafter be made,
the term half pay as used herein
shall represent a variable sum
amounting in each year to fifty per-
centum Of the compensation that
may then be paid In each fiscal year
TO officers OF the same grade Of that
of the officer retired"
Eligible For Retirement
Patrolmen Gustave Hellburg and
Michael Cosgrove have been mem-
bers of the department for over so
years, and upon their written re-
quests. the board of police commits
sioners would be compelled to retire
them on half pay Patrolman Clar-
ence Lanphier has been a member
Of the department for % years, but
It would be optional with the board
10 grant request from him for re-
tirement as he has not yet passed
tie age of Go. Patrolman Charles
Mccarthy has been member OF the
department for 25 years, and having
passed his 60th birthday 1t would
hc compulsory for the board to re-
tire him on his request.
Patrolmen Charles johnson and
Dennis Nealon have been in the de-
partment for % years and Patrol
nan Alfred Atwater for Fl years,
These men are not eligible for re-
tirement until they have completed
% years continuous service.
The only officer in the department
eligible for a pension is Lieutenant
Samuel Bamforth, who observed the
goth anniversary Of his appointment
to the force this year.