The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-09-30
POLICE TO
SH()OT-lJP'
BANDITS
CONTINUED from First Page.r (

Continued from First Page.p i
an intensive course OF training
until every man is a marksman.
This step IL in direct line with
q campaign inaugurated some time
ago by The Washington Times for
such training, and with an edi-
torial review of thiss campaign in
The Times yesterday.
Another move made today to
throw the fear of policemen and
of policemen's guns into the heart
Of "gangland'' here, IL such a COM
munity L. springing up, was in the
form Of verbal instructions to all
precinct commanders to make the
regular Monday morning inspection
Of firearms OF members Of the
force real inspection, and not a
perfunctory affair.
Word reached Police Department
heads shortly before the fatal shoot
Ing Of Policeman Busch by gang
sters, and the woundings at the
same time, Of Policeman Asch, who
was helping Busch. arrest. the men
now charged with Busch'S murder.
that the firearms inspection was, in
most instances, a routine affair.
Guns Were Only Clicked
Policemen would be asked to
"click" their guns to show the ham,.
mer was on an empty chamber
Conly five chambers Of police guns
are kept loaded, and there, quite
often, the inspection would end.
Major Hesse now wants this
Monday morning inspection Ito be
a rigid affair.
Not only must the policemen's
guns be well-oiled, but the members
of the force must be certain their
ammunition is fresh. he said today.
Also, the police heads are now
TO see to it that each policeman
carries his gun where it can be
recalled instantly.
In connection with this, Major
Hesse said he does not favor the
Sam Brown belt, because he thinks
1t unnecessary.
He is studying at present, how
ever. and may shortly recommend
the adoption of a new type of
holster, that hangs by a metal
hook from the front of the trousers
top.
Pistol In Coat Pockets
At present. the police chief said,
there isn't a policeman on the
force, TO his knowledge. who car
ries pistol in his pocket. all of
them using holsters easily accessible,
except when wearing overcoats.
Then the guns are carried, accord
ing to regulation. in the overcoat
pocket where they are quickly
reached,
These three moves-the new tar
get range and intensive training in
pistol practice; the rigid inspection
OF firearms weekly and the pro.
posed new type of holster--are ex-
pected to bring the force up to a
high state of proficiency in the use
OF their guns in a short while.
Major Hesse said.
There is nothing in his present
drive for dead shots" Major Hesse
declared. that is meant to encourage
any member of the force in the
indiscriminate use of firearms.
Policemen must use judgment
and keep strictly within the letter
OF the law, and of police regula.
tons before firing at any citizen.
Major Hesse said, otherwise too
much stress on firearms might
prove bad for both the public and
the force.
The regulations and the extracts
from the law in the police manual
are explicit and clear, however. he
said, and he wants the members of
the force to know how to use their
guns right when the occasion arises.
Training Value Proved
At present the only target range
fer the police is at the old National
Guard Armory. on l. Street, and
this has long been inadequate, Major
Hesse said today.
Only IS policemen can be cared
for at a time, and every effort has
been made to make the best use of
those facilities.
Every new policeman coming on
the force must attain an approved
rating on this pistol range now, he
said. and he is kept Nndsr inStruc,
--=l-a7-s @-.--s@--.s--'