Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-28
CANDIDATES FAVOR
new POLICE PLAN
Prince Georges Democrats
Would Separate Force
From sheriff's Office.
BY GEORGE PORTER,
Stan Correspondent Of The Star.

UPPER MARLBORO, Md, September
27.-Separation of the Prince. Georges
County police force from the sheriff.
Office, and establishment of an in
dependent department under the
direction of chief Of police, is favored
by all Democratic candidates for the
State Legislature, according to an an
nouncement by party leaders today.
The pledge of the Democratic candi-
dates is in effect an assurance that the
new police system will be authorized
should they be elected, for it is time
honored custom of the Legislature to
adopt county measures when the county
delegation is united.
Agreed Before Primaries.
The pledge in regard to the change
of management and direction of the
police force was actually made prior to
legislative aspirate having agreed to the
change before being given the organiza-
tons backing.
These who are on record in favor OF
the new system are State Senator Lans-
dale G. SasScer, who is running for re-
election to the upper house, and Kent
r. Mullikin, William F. Keys j. Guy
Bell, William H. Anglin, Charles c.
Marbury and William e. Clifton.
The new system, If put into effect
will be similar to that of Montgomery
County, in that 1t will require the
creation of the Office of chief of police
Under the present system the sheriff
is also chief of police.
Give Best Possible System.
Capitalization of sentiment in favor
OF the change among the substantial
element of the county, and belief that
the transfer is in line with the party's
policy of giving the country the best
possible police protection, are given as
the chief reasons for the willingness on
the part of party leaders and legislative
candidates to give the proposed system
a trial.
The growth of the metropolitan area
OF the county, requiring more
modernized method of policing is also
cited by the leaders and candidates as
one of the reasons which led them to
approve the establishment of a system
in Prince Georges that is reported In
successful operation in other communities
similarly confronted with the problem
of rapid suburban growth.
The details of the system such as
methods Of discipline, and cooperation
with the sheriff's Office, have not beer
workout, it being felt that such mat
tiers should properly be developed after
election.
Separation Long Favored.
Separation of the police force and
the sheriff's office has long been
favored by many influential organiza-
tons of the county and was sought by
some of them at the last session of the
Legislature.
Everyone, even the proponents of the
measure at that time, agreed that. ii
was desirable to have the police force
serve civil processes, which are ex-
ceptionally numerous in Prince Georges
County.
The Attorney General of Maryland
ruled, however that the provision en-
powering police to serve civil processes
as contained in the proposed bill SUD-
mitted in 1929, was unconstitutional.
The question of serving civil papers
has been one of the chief stumbling
blocks in the path of those who have
attempted to agree on the manner In
which the separated police force and
sheriff's Office shall be handled.
Criminal Work Alone.
At present, party leaders say. 1t APP
pears that should the Democrats be
victorious and authorize an independ-
ent police department, the officers
lines unless, of their own volition, they
deputies with the civil process.
sheriff also understands, it is pointed
out, that If his party is victorious he
will not be chief of police.