The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-10-20
BY ALBERT J. BEvERIDGE JR.


concerned, is necessary if we are to
gauge fairly the usefulness of a
state police force.
Massachusetts, has an area of
5000 square miles and almost a
million persons in rural districts. To
serve these inhabitants and to cover
that area 300 uniformed state troop
ers are employed with never more
than 200 actually available at any
given time. That means there is
one trooper to every 5000 persons.
The most practical proportion is one
police officer to every 1000 persons.
State Systems Analysed
New Jersey, which is but slightly
smaller than Massachusetts, has 800
uniformed men in the service. Penn
sylvania, with an area more than
five times the size of Massachusetts
and with a great rural population,
has 400 men patrolling the state.
New York, even larger than Penn
sylvania, has 600 men on active
duty
Before we consider Indiana, it is
necessary to bear in mind the fact
that it's police force is but a year
and half old. However, Indiana
is a good example of what is wrong.
In this state there are approx
mately million and half per-
sons scattered over an area Of &c.
900 square miles. To serve these
fN,sfxy civ nG
men are in the service of the state
police. When one takes into con-
sideration the fact that trooper
must sleep, eat and be granted
day of rest, the working basis of
the force is cut to thirty men. That
does not include sickness or dis
ability.
In other words, in Indiana there
is one trooper to every $4,000 per-
sons.
Efficiency Demonstrated
In New Jersey during the fiscal
year ended in 1922, $1,000 odd ar
rests we're made which resulted in
more than $4,000 convictions. AL
most 1000 cases remain to be tried.
Considering the fact that the state
police is not alone law enforcing
agency but a service agency, troop
ers give service along the road
whenever they can. In 1881 more
than over $1,000 such cases were
handled and in 1882 more than H.
600.
In Pennsylvania in 1892 there
were more than $4,000 calls for as
siStance and more than 10000 in
veStigationS made. In New York,
in 1879, almost 10000 arrests were
made and 1914 per cent of those ar
rested were convicted, so thorough
we're the officers in their inveStiga-
tons.
In Indiana there are no official
complete records as yet. However,
from March through April of this
year more than 1000 arrests we're
made which resulted in more than
600 convictions.
When one considers that the In
diana state police is limited in its
man power, that its method of COM
munication is slow, uncertain and
obsolete, that the distances to be
covered are vast one can not help
but admire what has been done.
Force Shows Profit
A reference has been made to the
fact that state police organizations
pay for themselves in purely none
tary value. In the case of New
Jersey, $1,215,000 was required to
operate the force in 1882. The or
ganiZation returned to the citizens
of the state or to the treasury more
than $2,282,000 in fines, recovered
stolen property, forfeited balls and
many other things.
In Indiana, the fines and forfeit
ed balls are not considered in the
return, but from semi official and in
complete records more than S21,-
900 was returned to citizens in the
way of stolen property from March
through April. Last years expenses
for the Indiana state police were
$4,000. When the official returns
are compiled it is pretty safe to
say that they will come very near
equaling the total expenditures.
With crime on the increase in
certain sections of the nation, state
police forces are absolutely neces-
Sary. Major crime has decreased
decidedly in the east and authori-
ties account for that because of the
presence and activity Of efficient
state police bodies
In the midwest crime has not de-
creased nor have the criminals been
handicapped in any way by state
police organizations.
What Is Needed for Success
However, when we'll trained or
CARNATIONS are formed, free of DO
litical influence, equipped with the
most modern means of transporta-
ton and communication, major
crimes will decrease noticeably and
the taxpayers will benefit therefrom.
The members of a state police
force, are for the most part proud
Of their organization. They realize,
especially in those we'll established
forces in the east, that a career is
offered and that they will remain
on the force as long as they give eff
ficient services.
Troopers should never be dis
charged at the whim of political
boss nor should any influence of
political nature be brought to bear
at their trials. Each force has its
own method Of discharging its men,
bers and no organization should be
left in position where outside in
duence would affect its personnel.
Political influence should be ruled
out Of every organization and ap-
preparations should be granted COM
measurable TO the specific needs OF
the state.