The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-11-03
Police Killings and Assaults
Upon Policemen
By BILL PRICE


When we read of Washington policemen killing they
ere seeking to Of policemen being assaulted BY bad
men who have been cornered have cause for prolonged
thought to the conditions which lead to TINS
state of affairs.
Unless we know the exact should hesitate to at
tempt to pass Judgment any particular give vent
to opinions We should at least be careful that we 90 not
throw mantle of sympathy around those who have been
killed defiance of law and thereby give further backing
and support to the criminal element of this city
Public prejudices quite often against the ponceman
who draws his gun when in desperate situation
This notably when the victims are booteggers When
policeman is assaulted by criminal and comes within an
ace of losing life public looks that just risk
the officer takes
know the facts in each but good citizen is
fixed in his that booeggers and other criminals must
not be allowed to become in this fair city Either law
or chaos must prevail here There half way ground
policemen to become the pistol targets OF criminals
without right defend themselves will reach condition
here Washngtonians and for that matter
the whole nation, inasmuch this is national city
On me oner nano o. course ponce OSals sIOuo
srrestng desperate criminals Policemen who can remain
reasonably cool under all circumstances are the kind to be
chosen The excitabe officer with exaggerated idea Of his
position not the sort of to engage in these mups
with bcotleggers and others The handy pistol as
dangerous in the hands Of wild policeman as in the hands
The appalling increase in crime throughout the United
States almost wholly bootlegging The profits de-
rived that business lead and to do almost
anything in defiance Of law The average law abiding citizen
has the remotest idea Of the crime manifestations back Of
booeggng Everysbg bootegger has train Of small boot
lsggers employed under him isn't all careful of the
they criminals by instinct preference and that boot
logging just side affair their other operations
And virtually al Of them go armed ready fight their way
Of troubewhethe it be policemen Mjackes who at
tempt them of their of moonshine It wild
picture but true one.
The criminal who draws his pistol when policemen attempt
to him to it He does it If he The
question solely whether the criminal officers of the law
shall survive Is there any question among good citizens
to whose life is most useful to the community?
There for criticism of the policeman who
draws his pistol unless there necessity for such action and
the police department impose proper punishment
In the battle against bootegger the head Of Washngton
police department should know beyond all question that every
officer engaged in that free from dealings with boot
legge and free from the charge Of himself drinking and
violating the laws of the land 1t serious thing for an
officer Of the law to uphodng the law and himself be
guilty of violating it while duty when off duty
There place for whiskey drinking the police
force of Washington particularly while they duty In
his home in uniform policeman enjoys the right Of
private citizen unless in his dealings with bootleggers or
their representatives he sets bad example and brings the
law into contempt through his private relations with ele
from which he is supposed to guard the community
should up private citizens to make complaints
against policemen who drink while duty The heads Of
police precincts such and should be instructed
from Tho superintendent office to anything of this
kind the point of bringing charges that lead to dis
rissal.