Evening star., 1935-05-13
PRECINCT POLICE
CH|EFSAREPUTO ON
EFFICIENCY BASIS
Must Answer for Lax En-.
forcement, Commissioners
Tell Commanders.
TRANSFERS HINTED IF
WORK UNSATISFACTORY
Hazen Declares "Round Table"
Discussion Has Nothing to Do
With Recent Crime Probe.

Police precinct commanders were
warned by the Commissioners today
that they will be held responsible for
what happens in their precincts as to
law breaking and law enforcement.
The value of captains and their lieu
tenants will be measured hereafter
much more definitely by the success
they have in ferreting out crime and
the manner in which they handle their
cases. the Commissioners decreed.
This word was passed out this morn
ing at special conference in the Office
of Commissioner Hazen Of all high
police officials.
Members of the police high COM
mand" who appear to be wanting in
aggressiveness are to be called on the
carpet" for an explanation, If they
have one, and for reprimand if they
have none, it was announced.
Transfers Hinted.
There was a warning also that II
precinct commanders fail to produce
they may expect transfer to other
duties. Engineer Commissioner Sultan
was the authority for this statement,
in a brief press conference during
progress of the extended conference.
In the Army" said the colonel, 'if
the commanding officer of post or a
detail of men fails to carry out with
reasonable success the duties to which
he is assigned, he is called on the
carpet and is held responsible.
Il see no reason why Federal agents
should be the ones to discover the
Illicit liquor operations in the ter
ritory of one of our precincts. Why
should not the precinct force nave
known such things were going on;
and if so, the precinct commander
should do something about 1t.
One purpose of the session was 10
study means of closer cooperation
between police precincts and head
quarters and the police generally and
the Districts prosecution machinery
IN more effective enforcement and in
prosecution of law breaking.
SuggeSuOnS Mduc.
There was round table discussion
of the subject with many suggestions
for better coordination. Corporation
Counsel Prettyman suggested improve
ments in methods of handling cases
when they reach Police Court.
The effort for better police work,
It was reported, is to be extended all
along the line of enforcement work,
including gambling, vice, traffic con-
troll and all forms Of law violations.
Captains and other police executives
were called on for suggestions. Maj.
Ernest W. Brown, superintendent OF
police; Inspectors Thaddeus r. Bean
and L. I. H. Edwards participated In
the session. Inspector Albert j.
Headley, who is suffering an attack
Of poison ivy, was not present.
Commissioner HaZen said the con-
ference chad nothing whatever to do
with the study of the crime situation
as made by the Special House Crime
Committee"
He said the meeting was called at
the request of Traffic Director William
A. Van Duzer as a means of or
panizing police to take care Of traffic
situations during the Shrine conven-
ton here the week of June 9. The
scope of the meeting broadened, how
ever, as each captain was asked to
describe conditions in his precinct.
Room for Improvement
1.-THE Commissioners had but few
complaints to make" Hazen said.
1--WE think we have a very fine Police
Department, but we believe there is
room for improvement. We told the
captains we wanted them to be on
their toes and each one promised he
would put on the heat
Prettyman revealed he is consider
ing the dropping of the present Sys-
tenn of holding preliminary nearing
on cases before the assistant corpora
ton counsel at Police Court as
means of speeding up prosecution
work. If his plan is adopted cases
will be taken directly to court after
the corporation counsels have learned
enough of the facts to decide a case
should be tried.
There is now much confusion in
the corporation counsels office at
Police Court as dozens of defendants,
complainants and lawyers seek 10 dis
cuss their cases with the assistant
corporation counsel Officers have
complained that witnesses frequently
changed their testimony after hearing
what others have said at preliminary
hearings.
It is Prettyman's idea that when 1t
Is decided to take case to trial
definite date will be set for nearing
and prosecutors will resist all efforts
for delay except when important rea-
sons are offered.