Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-08

August Vollmer chief OF police OF
derworld in the Far West, has just taker
Gus" as the iron-gray haired Grim
inologist is known to friend and fugi-
tive alike, has been designated as "po.
lice expert" of the Presidents National
Commission on Law Observance and
Enforcement. His duty, 1t seems, Is to
find out what Is wrong with the Ma
tons machinery for bringing the GRIM
inal to the bar of justice.
Chief Vollmer Che retains the title
here because he Is just on leave OF abb
sence from his home city, has knack
for finding out what Is wrong with po-
lice departments and with men.
Wins Gold Medal.
He found out what was wrong with
police methods in Berkeley, and the
changes he effected there won for him
last year the gold medal of the Harmon
Foundation for the greatest contribu-
ton to social sciences for the year."
So successful was he in diagnosing po-
lice problems in his own jurisdiction
that other cities and other countries
have called to him for counsel. In all,
his advice has been sought in more than
score Of instances and in consequence
thereof number of cities have insti-
tuted drastic reorganizations in their
police departments.
volunteering" q police department
has come to mean Transforming 1t into
highly scientific laboratory for the
analysis, as well as the prevention and
detection Of crime. Under this ad-
vanced system policeman senses an
obligation not only to apprehend the
criminal, but to prevent his children
from following in his steps.
Organizes Crime Preventors.
In recognizing this responsibility.
Chief Vollmer set up within the
Berkeley Police Department a unique
crime prevention division" composed
of psychiatrists and social workers,
and this division seeks to promote the
health, happiness and general welfare
of children.
I'VE are just approaching delinquency
and crime from a different point of
| view," Vollmer explained yesterday at
his new ONCE in the headquarters of the
commission, in the Tower Building.
I'VE have in Berkeley a crime preven-
ton unit that takes into consideration
all factors-school physical, educa-
| tional and moral. The unit achieves its
aims through coordination of the
work of interested agencies.
I'VE hold that in every community
there are now In existence SUFFICIENT
agencies, public and private, to stamp
out delinquency, II their efforts were
properly co-ordinated We have found
the key to coordination in our crime
prevention division"
Chief vollmer approaches other
phases of crime from "a different
point of view" Any one of the thou
sands Of persons who have faced the
chiefs truth-seeking robot. "Diogenes"
at Berkeley police headquarters will
testify to that. The Berkeley depart
ment is said to be the only one in the
country which has installed the lie
detector" as official equipment. What
Chief Vollmer thinks of this emotion
testing machine is Of interest.
Explain "Lie-Detector."
"The lie-detector?" he said. "Why,
I consider 1t the most promising instru-
ment which society may use in the
detection of crime!" Vollmer's face had
grown serious. and he emphasized his
statement with a bang of his fist on
the polished mahogany desk.
II introduced the lie-detector to
Berkeley 10 years ago. During that
time 10000 cases have been recorded
without single failure, so far as we
have been able to learn. OF course.
Tie Is SJlll III oil
stage. Before the world will accept 1t,
its infallibility must be tested in thou
sands of additional cases. I am con-
WINGED it will prove of great value to
the world"
The commissions police expert does
not look like a Sherlock Holmes, despite
his analytical mind and his use Of
science in crime detection. Nor is he
the type of hard-boiled cop often de-
picted on the screen or in books One
might take Chief Vollmer for a college
professor, and the truth of the matter
is that he is just that When he can
spare the time from his police duties
in Berkeley he teaches police admins
tration at the University of Chicago.
He also is member of the faculty of
the University of California.
Vollmer intends to approach his
latest problem with the same thorough
ness that he has approached the others.
Must Find Facts.
"First of all, must set up. the ma
chinery for our investigation" he
stated. and would like to point out
right here that am concerned only
with finding the facts-and not with