Evening star., 1928-04-11
MAI. HESSE URGES
DRASTIC MEASURES
Seeks Mandatory Dismissal
of Police Convicted of
Specific 0ffenSes.

Drastic measures for improving the
discipline, effectiveness and efficiency of
the Metropolitan Police Department
we're recommended to the District Com
missioners today by Maj. Edwin B. HesSe,
superintendent.
The recommendations propose series
OF notifications and amendments 70 the
manual of the Police Department which
would make It mandatory instead of op-
tional, as at present, upon the Police
Trial Board TO remove from the service
officers convicted for certain specific Of
fenseS.
Maj Hesse's action followed the re-
cent criticism of the police force in Con-
gress. and IL came as a startling sur
prise TO its members, although the SUI
perintendent said he has had the pro-
posed changes under consideration for
Drastic Measures Needed"
Il have definitely reached the conclu-
sion that some drastic measures are
necessary and essential to improve the
discipline of the force, as we'll as TO in
crease its effectiveness and efficiency"
Maj. Hesse reported to the CommiS-
sioners.
Statistics recently compiled under
the provisions of a Senate resolution
disclose the lamentable fact that dur
ing the period of three years 706 cases
have been referred to the Metropolitan
Police trial board, the charges rang
ing from intoxication while on duty
down 10 minor infractions of the reg
ulations. such as failing TO report TO
the station. falling to properly patrol
beats, etc.
There are numerous cases of men
having been retained on the force who
in the interest of discipline and EN-
cheney should have been removed and IL
is believed that the only way TO cor
rect this condition is to definitely fix
the penalty for certain specific offenSes." :"
Charges Are Listed.
The proposed notifications In the
police manual would make IL mandatory
for the trial board to dismiss from the
force officers convicted on the follow
ing charges:
~ Drinking OF intoxicants or the
taking OF narcotics unless upon the pre-
scription of reputable physician. or
being under the influence of intoxi-
cants or narcotics, either on or of duty.
bA AC1AuulA lultSN OF
disability In order 10 evade the per-
formance of duty.
"S Willful disobedience of orders or
characterization.
- Gambling. or knowingly frequent
ing any place where games of chance
are permitted, or participating in such
games of chance
IS Willful failure to report promptly
TO the major and superintendent OF
police through the proper channels. or
direct. any disloyalty or suspected dis
loyalty to the United States or the gov
ernment of the District of Columbia,
or to report promptly any violation by
any person whomsoever without or
within the Metropolitan Police Depart
ment Of the criminal code of the United
States or the code of law OF the Dis
trict OF Columbia. or to report the vio-
lation of any section of the rules and
regulations of the Metropolitan Police
Department, the penalty provided for
which Is removal from the force
Would Require Truth In Reports.
"6 Willfully and knowingly making
an untruthful statement of any Kind
In any verbal or written report an
pertaining to his duties as a metropolis
tan police officer. or in the presence OF
any superior officer. or intended for
the information of any superior ofYicer;
or making any untruthful statement be-
fore any court or TO any authorized
Government otficial or before the
Police Trial Board, or wiilful omission
OF any material facts which should be
included III any ottieial report
~ Upon evidence submitted 20 the
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