Evening star., 1935-12-28
TRAFFIC BUREAU
CHANGES ORDERED;
LAMB IN NEW JOB
Inspector Becomes Director
of All Activities in
District.
CAPT. SMITH MADE
NEW DIVISION HEAD
Decentralization Move Seen in
Formation of Precinct-Like
Unit by Brown.

A drastic reorganization of the ad-
ministrative set-up of the Police De-
partment Traffic Bureau, effective
January /, was ordered today by Police
Supt. Ernest w. Brown.
The change, in effect, will constitute
a decentralization of the Traffic Bu-
reau, which will function in the future
as traffic division of the department.
having the same status as a police
precinct. TWenty-eight officers now
attached to the bureau will be shifted
to the precincts. These include IS
motor cycle officers and l3 foot patrol
men.
When the change goes into effect
Inspector B. A. Lamb will have the
title of District traffic inspector. He
will have direct supervision over every
traffic officer in the precincts, as well
as those remaining in the new traffic
division.
Capt Milton D. Smith. now assist
ant to Lamb. will be in command of
the traffic division, which will corre-
spond to a precinct. He will have
under his supervision only those traffic
officers assigned to mis- division.
Lamb Is Supervisor.
Inspector Lamb will have general
supervision over all matters pertain
ing to traffic enforcement throughout
the District All complaints. recon-
mendations and matters pertaining TO
traffic enforcement will be referred to
him for necessary action.
In addition to supervising the new
traffic division. Capt. Smith will have
charge of the collateral records Office
and the hack inspection bureau.
Mai. Brown said the changes are
being made in the hope of improving
enforcement and at the same time aid
in reducing Washington's ever-grow-
ing fatality list. He explained the
plan was adopted as an experiment.
Mai. Browns general order setting
up the new traffic agencies also di-
rected a change in time for roll call
in all police precincts so every police
Office would be on duty at the begin
ming of the rush period. Beginning
January /, roll calls will be held at
7:30 am, $50 pm. and 1880 pm.
instead of am, 4 pm. and II mid
night.
Officers Command Areas.
The general order makes the COM
manding officer of all precincts re-
sponsible for the proper enforcement
of traffic laws and regulations in his
territory. The order said these Off
GERS will carefully observe condi-
tions in their precincts and, when
necessary. make such recommended
tions as they think proper to tacili-
tate the movement Of traffic and to
improve the enforcement of traffic
laws and regulations.
They will consult the inspector in
charge of traffic on all problems of
traffic enforcement and other traffic
matters.
Officers assigned to traffic posts in
all precincts except the first will be
assigned to the precincts in which their
posts are located and will be used by
the captains of the precincts to the
best advantage. Motor cycle privates
will be assigned to the sixth, seventh,
eighth, eleventh and twelfth precincts
and will be used by the captains of
these precincts for traffic enforce
ment."
Maj. Brown explained that 80 motor
cycle officers would be retained in the
(See TRAFFIC, Page %