The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-09-07
Corrective Measures in Police
Department iii Prospect

NTFICIAL conferences over local police department
" conditions lead the assumption that corrective measures
are ii prospect.
h time that attempts 10 remedy distressing conditions
should be made they cannot BE made long e the Two
ncpai figures ii the situation fail to act N harmony and
= long as important Of Washngons chief
81 police are Enacted upon.
4 hef Hesse doesn know what Is best for eevatng the
moral tone Of the department and his are
worthless the responsibility for Improvement rests upon the
ccuoner il charge q the police department and y i
Il duty - work out satisfactory solution
4h thing q shutting official eyes grave misdeeds and
HI ccncct among members Of the department longer
ioke i getting To be calamity + = injurious tc
worthy honorable policemen whose records are clear and VINO
rs Not ccndOne drunkenness and other cffenses detrimental
y tie welfare 81 the department They big majority
of the force.
black sheep patrolng ii blue uniforms encourage opprobriu
mon outstanding valuable officers The department must be
rid Of e and then the routes BY which they have gotten
into The department must be closed to Of similar stripe
me ,sifare of the community demands that definite steps
h taken TO remedy matters that agitation and denoralza
ton @ and SnsI assss sn
have e done with before Congress meets and nangraes
yhirIVind 81 Investigations bringing with them deuge OF
disturbing jeaouse dirt and upfcunded tales that vii az
great harm.
W aems clear that police trial boards have excessively
Ieniet with policeman convicted serious ofenses wit
ness filming Of convicted four times Ct drunken
Tie rIsi remedy for that il constant change IN the per-
sonnet 81 trial boards necessary until its members realize
that their duty to drasticay punish who perpetual
yoIators Of police regulations and the standards Of decenc
this city expectE from its policemen and which the great
majority Of policemen find pleasure il maintaining g duty
they owe themselves and the community.
Police regulations should Be amended that dismissal from
The force s provided drunkenness while duty miscon-
uCt IT serious nature and for outstanding unworthnes n
police matters
small fines and general lenen treatment do not constitute
disnne n courts 81 anywhere else They simply breed fur
er disregard 81 laws regulations rules and that decency Of
department al good men follow.
Having wisely done what within their power at this time
e Commissioners and head Of the Police Department should
cOncsnrae upon bringing into the department in the future
stronger personnel both physically and morally This can
Be achieved by radical changes by Congress in the civil service
law for the selection Of police roces radical changes
II the methods by which the Civil Service Commission and
pOlCe officials select them, both
Future appOnees to the force should be- as near as thor
cugh human inquiry ascertain Of strong character
well vouched for by reputable citizens with greater emphasis
On character and imposing physique than book learning
These should from this city nearby Virginia
and Maryland The bars should be closed from distant
points unless absolutely necessary to maintain eligible list