The Washington times., 1935-05-01
Lack of Morale

The subcommittee feels that
In connection with the appoint
ment of a successor to the major
and superintendent that careful
and serious consideration should
be given to the adviSability of
selecting a competent and quail
fled person who is not now a
member of the police depart
ment. The subcommittee is of
the opinion that the force at
the present time is seriously
suffering not only from a lack
OF morale, but from a break
down of discipline, predicated
upon a widespread lack of re.
Spect for superior officers.
The appointment of a person
OF proper ability. who is not now
connected with the department,
might bring to the adlniniStra-
ton of the force an impartial
viewpoint. modern and scien-
tlfic methods, and a reestablish-
ment of discipline and morale.
Headley cenSured on gentle
mems agreement" and laxity.-
While Inspector Albert j. Head
ley comes within the category
of police officials over so years
OF age, and by virtue of that
fact subject to retirement, at
the discretion of the Commits
sioners, the subcommittee is i'm
PEELED to comment specifically
on the service of Inspector Head
ley as revealed by his testimony,
the testimony of others and adj
ditional information in its pos
session.
The subcommittee recognizes
the fact that under; our present
form of government, the prac-
tice Of political endorsements is
generally accepted. 1t does not
comment upon the propriety or
improperly of this practice.
However, it does find that the
conduct and attitude of In
Spector Headley in his quest for
promotion. was, to say the least,
prejudicial to the best interests
Of the department.
Furthermore, his attitude to-
ward his subordinates, his
neglect of duty as District in
Spector. as indicated by his fail
ure to take action in connection
with the deplorable conditions
in Precinct No. S, and his
evaSiVeneSS and lack of candor
when appearing as a witness be-
fore the subcommittee, all con-
tribute to the conclusion that
his services have been unsatis-
factory and conducive to lack
OF efficiency and harmony.
1t is the hope of the subcom-
mittee that it's cenSure of In
Spector Headley may be con-
strued by all members of the
force now and in time to come
as a condemnation of so-called
"gentlemen'S agreements" of the
type in which Inspector Headley
participated, and which was re-
vealed during the hearing.
Abolition of Sinecure urged
The position to which Inspector
Headley aspired and which he
sought to attain through the
"gentlemen'S agreement" was
!, created by the insertion in an
appropriation bill for the pur-
pose of increasing by $500 the
annual salary of a former in
Spector. This position was not
created at the request of the
major and superintendent of
police.
The subcommittee fails to
find any extra service rendered
the city or any reason at all for
the salary increase, and there
fore recommends that this posi-
ton be forthwith abolished.
Political Indorsements.-Sub-
Scribing to the theory that the
local police department should
be absolutely free from politics,
and with the view of eliminat-
ing the practice of political in
dorSementS, which has a ten
dency to undermine the merit
system, the S u b com m t t e e
strongly suggests that the Com
miSSionerS of the District of
Columbia formulate, adopt. and
insert in the police regulations,
q rule to the effect that it
shall be the duty of the major
and superintendent of police,
y when political Endorsement is
received for any member of the
force, to make the fact and the
substance Of such Endorsement
public.
Police Trial Board.-The po-
lice trial board, in many re-
SpectS Is much like an Army
courtmartial. The problems in
volved are peculiar to the type
Of service. The committee does
not feel that the average ci-
william would be adequately
equipped. either from the
standpoint Of background or in
terest in the service, to serve
IN q judicial capacity on the
police trial board. Further
more, no good reason suggests
itself to the committee why
members of the police force
should not be tried by their
superiorS. The elimination of
trial by superior officers would