The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-09-25
Cother details of raids

After their fifth conference
in two days, Mayor Reginald
H. Sullivan and members of
the board of safety today
broke their silence regarding
the furore that was created
in the police department
Saturday with the arrest of
eighteen policemen on federal
indictments, and asked CO.
operation of federal and coun-
ty authorities and of all Indi-
annapolis citizens in Kidding
the city of graft and lawless-
ness.
The statement, signed by the
mayor and safety board members,
Charles R. Myers, president; Frank
C. Daley and Donald S. Morris.
said:
"All of the policemen indicted by
the United States grand jury have
been suspended. If any of these
men are guilty of the offenses
charged the government OF the
United States has done a service
to the city of Indianapolis and to
this administration.
"The UniteS States authorities
have secret, undercover workers,
and money with which to conduct
secret Investigations. The city I'M
fortunately, has no such agents, and
no money for such Investigations.
We hope that the government will
continue indefinitely operations in
Indianapolis.
Kinney Works Under HandicapS
when we took office We inherited
the police force from many past adj
ministrations. With few exceptions
We did not appoint the existing
force, and under the law we can not
dismiss a policeman without charges
being preferred, trial had and proof
of misconduct.
After careful investigation we
appointed Jerry Kinney chief of po-
lice. man in whose integrity we
had. and now have, the greatest
confidence. He has labored under
many handicaps. Many men and
women have been out of work dur
ing his administration who were
heretofore employed. These con-
ditions breed laWlessneSS.
Kinney, the police and detective
departments, have made a splendid
record in experimenting those gull
ty of banditry and violence. and
maintaining order in trying times.
We believe that life and property
are much safer in Indianapolis than
in most large cities.
Two Units Work Together
Kinney appointed upon our liq-
uor squad, the men suggested by the
federal prohibition authorities" the
report declared. Liquor violations
coming to the chiefs attention have
been referred to federal authorities.
These two units have worked to-
gether tremendously. and together
have made many arrests"
1--WE have received reports from
many sources throughout the year
leading us to believe that Indian
apolis was in better shape morally
than it had been for many years.
Nevertheless we heard rumors and
received reports of law violations in
Marion county, both inside and out
side of the city.
Under the rulings of the local
municipal criminal courts, the state
is unable to convict in many cases
upon an arrest made without a
search warrant. These search war
rants have been difficult to obtain
from said courts-we think too diff
f1cult."
Employed Secret Investigation
Because of the difficulty expert
enced in obtaining search warrants,
we decided" the statement contin-
ued, more than two weeks before
We had knowledge of the federal
investigation, that we should have
a secret agent here to investigate
conditions, and obtain evidence.
There is no city fund out of which
his expenses could be paid.
I'VE obtained some money from
another source, and employed a
secret investigator, man who has
had wide experience with the United
States government in this kind of
work, and whose ability is beyond
question.
"He was instructed to investigate
local conditions, and the conduct
of police, and to report directly to
the board of safety. He has been
working in Indianapolis for more
than two weeks, and the informa-
ton obtained by him has been and
will be acted upon. At this time
a number of raids have been con-
Quoted and a number of arrests
have been made by police squads,
acting on search warrants issued
upon information obtained by this
investigator during the past two
week"
I'VE urge that conditions in the
whole Of Marion county be investi-
gated thoroughly" the report said,
mot only by the federal authorities,
but also by the prosecutors Office.
There are approximately $50
members Of the police force, great
majority Of whom are honest and
capable, and have done good work.
An earnest effort has been made
and will be made, to putMthe best
lQualified men in the most respon-
sibIe positions"