Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-11

lied science" on police practices and
~ administration in order to pave the
~ way for curbing potential crime by
its more efficient detection and pre-
ventior now occupies the center Of the research
program at the University of Chicago.
For the first time in the history Of education,
a successful police executive has been elevated
to the ONCE of full professorship. Mr. August
Vollmer, chief of the Berkeley, Calf, police
departments man who has fathered new and
scientific methods of crime detection and con-
trol-now serves as professor of police admin
iStratiOn at the University of Chicago. A staff
Of IS seasoned scientists representing every
branch of technical knowledge which might
aid in the overthrow of the underworld, has
been assigned to assist Prof. Vollmer In the
most unique research campaign ever under
taken.
It's vital Importance is signalized by a recent
statement of President Hoover, who said that
Hthe solution and eradication of crime now ranks
as this Nations most vital riddles which must
be solved"
CCIENCE which previously has been "gun-
shy" Of crime and police research now Is
fully mobilized to study all their ramifications
and to blaze q trail Of new procedures which
potentially viii breed added respect for the
law into each and every American.
This survey Of police practices, methods,
means, measures, failures and successes viii
extend around the world and win include every
country where the delegated guardians Of law
and order seek to control crime. good prac-
tice here. another there will be selected and
ultimately q composite Of the best international
systems Of sleuthing and law enforcement viii
be grated together as the guiding star Of
potential police practices throughout the United
States.
To begin with, Prof. vollmer is striving to
develop fundamental principles based on factual
foundations for police administration. Ever
since the first patrolman donned his uniform
and covered his beat, "guesswork' has governed
police activities from one corner of the compass
to all others. Empiricism and trial and error
systems have dictated police practices and
policies. Science, for centuries, stood aloof and
permitted the police to progress or retrogress
as the case might be- And, incidentally, no
gigantic yardstick has been required to measure
the forge forward.
Development would still be progressing at only
snails pace but that new type Of police off,
cial-an example of atavism-came unheralded
to team with science and Gull the misfit from
the fit. Such a one was Chief Vollmer from
California, who championed such revolutionary
practices as the use of college-trained patrol
men, radio recall, motorized patrol and auto
mobiles equipped with radio, so that rowing
policemen could keep in constant touch with
headquarters. Chief Vollmer and some of his
most progressive associates worked for many
years setting the stage for the scientific drama
now in enactment at the University of Chicago.
potency with extreme candor. Every police
survey ever consummated has revealed vital de-
fectS in police organization and administration
Such defects as failure to centralize in one in
dividual responsibility for the control and ad-
ministration of police affairs, the low qualifca-
ton standards of police executives, insecurity
of tenure in Office, low physical, mental, moral
and educational entrance standards for police
personnel, defective recruiting systems, made
quate police training and inefficient and made
quate equipment are responsible in no small
degree for crime multiplication.
But it is always darkest just before the dawn
The crime waves which now engulf many Sec
tions and cities in this country are hurting
toward extinction. The Bureau OF Police Ac-
tivities at the University of Chicago is being
groomed as the hatchery of their overthrow.
This remarkable organization financed by one
Of the richest research funds extant plans
potentially on helping all American cities which
request such aid in controlling crime and re-
organizing their police operations a business
basis. This Is only unitarian branch of the
community research program at that institution,
the most complete of Its kind around the world.
THE first stage in this scientific drive to con-
troll crime by preventing it features the
most detailed bookkeeping on the underworld
and its illegitimate activities ever attempted.
TwcScore Of the police chiefs of the leading
American cities conferred recently with Prof.
vollrner and agreed to cooperate in the coll
lection Of criminal records on a most elaborate
scale. This will be part of the campaign to
collect and compile accurate records on every
known criminal and his individual peculiarities
in committing crimes Tab will be kept ON the
whereabouts of notorious criminals and social
surveys viii divulge where crime waves In the
future are liable to occur. They viii be nipped
in the bud as q consequence Of q thorough fore
knowledge of when and where they win break
out and how they can be prevented Crime