The Washington times., 1928-08-31
Mr.. Dougherty and the Morale
OF Washington's Police Force

.- IT1r c. .anofroid Commissioner Dougherty, in
w charge Of the police department Of Washington as
pres washington people that there is no lowering q tne
moral tone 81 the Experiment. demoraizatOn no unsa1s
e ss.ct. fio IL appointment Of policemen through
the civil service Rough personal selection at mead
quarters. $50
Chief Of POLES does sppraise the moral tone q
TIE force ii par id doesn't like the civil service metnoo Of
selecting rockies" to fill vacancies.
M Douahertys alleged inward satisfaction with police
conditions "A washington not in harmony with public
pp6or ma there is rather widespread feeling that the
District Commissioner Is mapping on his job
Too many policemen are under grave charges to suit the
neore Of washington many have been before police
trial boards in the last year So Too many nave Deen
found guilty escaped conviction sy lsmency .rd.d
Whisky drinking and statutory offences may g regaE0eu
aohv 6y some elements Of Washngtons population but
they contribute TO the elevation Of moral tone ~ sne
police department Neither do other o11ences pOncme
S Ts condition II affairs in the cys police department
.s n0s y S Bad eggs are found
All nests undesabs in all organisations Dut tine
age should Be high the confidence q society 70
be retained,
&c in moral tone public good will Washington depart
ent has reached state that borders on ana
Major Hesse seems sensible enough TO it and 70 be dong
everyir1 within his power remedy it. He should how
ever hSe active and earnest cooperation from the Oonms
siOnespOnsible Tor conditions u the department me Cam
iasioners that they should inaugurate searcnang
cation into police affairs here now repeats tna advs
The Times has repeatedly referred to weaknesses IN select
ig applicants for the local police force through the CIVIL
service II has maintained that recruits to the force snouo
come from washington and nearby points in Virginia ana
Maryland and that they should be handpicked by police
officials who are good judges Of the human material GnaS
makes the best policemen.
The Civil Service Commission holds that gives preference
to local and nearby when it can do s but that the
number Of these applicants far from sufficient TO supply
satisfactory List Of egbes Why this true does not seem
TO be made clear.
In all probability it is mainly due to the fact that bg
gtrappng husky from the farms Of Virginia ana mary
land or from the Army Navy and Marine Corps do not FEEL
confidence passing examinations based upon 50 much
learning Many them have been out Of school Tor years
and are rusty in books They afraid OF exam1na
tons but physically not afraid Of the worst criminals
And how badly do need plenty Of those big fellows VINO
Eypiied the Washington before the with Germany
giants at any disturbance meant respect Tor
law and order.
sixfooter isn't any moral than smaller man, and
he may be Drawer but in law enforcement he radaes
psychology that is a real power among criminals
One satisfactory thing that Washington policemen, as
whole are not shielding those who bring i'll repute to the
department That good sign It is within their power
TO cean OUT bad eggs the force some red tape
ut police headquarters they may do good job OF house
cleaning that be brought about the next step 70
bring the force bigger whose characters are voucned
for By Washington and nearby people