Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1935-02-14

his love for Western Maryland and
his adopted land was only surpassed
by his affection for the old France
that he knew.
MANY STRANGE TALES ARE
told on the policemen Of Montgomery
County. Who has not heard Of the
Bethesda woman who asked the local
"cop" to come over and milk the
cow? Who has not heard the yarn
concerning the young matron who
wanted a policeman to mind the
baby while she made fourth at
bridge.
BUT THE THEORY OF politics
in the police force is all wrong
Senator IStedman Prescott has pre-
pared a bill which has run the
gauntlet of the Senate and which
almost answers our prayer to per-
feet civil service measure. It is q
source of wonder why the Demo
cratic administration didn't think OF
the idea some time ago. We have
had the history of police forces back
of us-we have had quite an inkling
of what political interference does
with law enforcement-we should
have started our police force on a
merit basis. Now that things have
gone this far, we advocate the adop-
ton of Senator Prescott's plan. Our
personal plan went much farther.
Meanwhile, we admire Nippy's dis
association of public welfare and
political motive and trust he con-
tinues in the straight and narrow.
Our plan would ask the retention,
or in case they have already been
dismissed, of the re-appointment of
the sergeants in charge of the Silver
Spring, Bethesda and Rockville police
stations. We would also recommend
the retention of one experienced Off
Ger (his past record to count more
than length of service) in each OF
the two suburban districts. We would
unqualifedly demand the retention
of the detective who is in charge of
the fingerprint bureau and who, Incl
dentally acts as the representative
of the States Attorneys office. We
would like to see these men kept on
the Job until better men, if possible,
are certified by a board of examiners.
This board should be composed OF
three men who would also act as a
trial board and have the power OF
review over the county commission
ers, nominally in charge of the pol
ice. (Now don't forget this scheme
being outlined is just the writer's
brainstorm and not any political
nightmare). This examining board
could well be composed of the chair
man of the appropriate committee OF
the Montgomery County Civic Fed
Grafton, a representative from the
county Parent Teacher Associations
and representative named by the
Chambers of Commerce. Then we
would have the representative of the
school children, who need much atten-
ton, particularly in the suburban
areas; the representative of the civic
groups and the spokesman for the
merchants and business men who ask,
demand and support police protec-
ton. This board would not then be
permanent. Their ideas and opinions
should not be ~colored with political
motives. The Chief of Police, alone,
would be a political nominee and he
should be given plenty Of room to
act without dictation from the coun-
ty commissioners and the board of
police commissioners or examiners
unless his conduct in Office personally
proved undesirable. The chief should
be elected to Office. This is just as
logical as electing sheriff whose
duties these days are restricted. Why
should a sheriff be elected and the
chief Of police appointed.