Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-24
PRATT AND SHELBY
COMMEND ROMJUE
ON POLICE SCHOOL
Believe, However, That Bill,
as Written, Would Not
Work in Practice.
OFFICERS HERE START
PRACTICALLY UNFRAMED
Superintendent Sees Plan as Max
ing Possible Great Savings to
U. S., States and Cities.

Mai. Henry G. Pratt, superintendent
of the Metropolitan Police force, anc
Inspector William S. Shelby today
frankly admitted that District police
men get practically no training before
being put to work on the street. at
hearing on the bill sponsored by Repre-
sentative Romjue of Missouri to eStab-
lish a school for the training of po-
licemen and policewomen, but expressed
the opinion that, as written, Mr.. Rom
jue's bill would not work in practice.
The bill proposes that the super
intendent of schools in the District
the Attorney General of the United
States and a third person to be APP
pointed by the President. with salary
Of S., 900 as chairman, shall constitute
board to govern and manage this
police training school. The bill author
ICES $4,000 for carrying cut provisions
of the act, with the proposed school
occupying Government owned
building.
1t proposes that tuition shall be free
and charges for the course of instruc-
ton shall be paid out of Federal funds,
and those taking the course of instruc-
ton may apply for police service and
may be employed by any State, munic-
ipality or governmental agency.
Shelby Praises Romjue.
Inspector Shelby congratulated Rep
resentative Romjue on taking 1.-THE first
definite step to correct very bad situa-
ton" Mai. Pratt agreed that such
training would be money-sav1ng
proposition, both to the Federal, State
and municipal governments.
Representative Romjue said that an
extensive canvass which he had made
shows an almost unanimous agreement
throughout the country that there is a
State and Federal laws because many
officers have varying degrees of quail
flcation.
"a school should be maintained" he
said, where any one desiring to lit
himself for police work may attend Just
as he would go to law or medical
school, and those displaying efficiency
should be permitted to complete regu-
lar course of training and instruction
and be made eligible for employment
IN any municipality throughout the
United States.
Whatever may be mans natural
ability, experience and training of the
right kind will increase that ability. In
every other business and walk of life.
we recognize training not only in the
military organization of our country to
NC Oh SIGdG value DuI III ptdCeCllIlc
ing and preparation"
Great Saving Is Seen.
Representative Romjue emphasized
that this school would result in great
saving to the Federal, State and num-
cipal governments through more ell
cient police departments.
William Kennedy of Baltimore was
introduced as specialist on crime de-
lection. He told the committee that
a science school is just as essential for
the police profession as is special train
ing in medicine or law or other pro-
LESSONS.
Mai. Pratt declared that sit is a Won
derfW idea. but doubt the practicable
ity Of as. ablishing a college in WASH
ington-S and getting students from all
over the United States" He advised
thatgit would be better to provide a
system of Federal aid to State univer-
stiles for the training of police.
In answering questions regarding the
training of policemen in the District of
Columbia, Maj. Pratt said that now for
the first time the department is able
to train men before sending them out
to duty on the street. He said he be-
heves 1t Is absolutely necessary and he
Is hopeful that legislation soon will
be passed under which men can be ap-
pointed to the Metropolitan Police
force in groups Of Is to receive in
tensive training for three months be-
fore they are sent out on duty.
When he had explained that pre-
viously patrolmen had no training before
they took up their police duties, Mrs.
Norton, a member of the subcommittee,
said: "I don't wonder you are handi-
capped here in the District with con-
ditions such. as that"
Officials Discuss Question.
In reply to question from Chairman
Lampert, Maj. Pratt said that a con-
ference was held this week in the Office
Of Commissioner Crosby with view to
increasing the efficiency of the police
personnel, as q result of which he be-
lieves that a program will be adopted
which will result in better qualified
police force. He filed with the COM
mittee brief as to how he believes the
Federal Government can best aid the
States in the training of their police
forces.
Chairman Lampcrt declared that ere
gardless of many statements from time
to time to the contrary, my experience
of IL years here has Leo me to believe
that the police and fire departments OF
the District of Columbia as a whole
compare favorably with similar depart
menIS LnTOuRnOuU the country.
He mentioned that the House District
committee has reported a pay increase
bill for police and fireman, which hi
believes will help greatly and expressed
interest in a practical plan which the
Police Department in New Jersey has
in operation. Mrs. Norton said tha
although Jersey City is next door Il
New York, 1t has a minimum of crime
of any city, attributable largely to thi;
training school.
Hall Expresses Opinion.
Representative Hall of Mississippi
said that he thinks the Romjue bill /!
the beginning of an important system
In reply to questions by Mr.. Hall. Maj
Pratt said that he had no particular
criticism of the present method of APP
pointing police in the District, but tina
he is dissatisfied with machinery fo
training them and he feels that wher
legislation provides a three months
training course the police force will b,
greatly improved.
Inspector Shelby, speaking from hi
experience of % years in police work
said that he would like to assist in 4;
good police training school based OF
practical experiences as well as Scien
tific knowledge Representative Morton
pointed out that Inspector Shelby's lonl
experience has fitted him to be an eX
cellent teacher in such police school.
Inspector Shelby said that the Rom
jue bill is step in the right direction
but he doubts whether it will work on
l. AT Ia ,.