Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1941-03-14
STATE POLICE
NOT ACCEPTED
AS TEACHERS


has been passed by the House of Dele
gates, and now awaits Senate ac-
tion.
A Burton Metzger, Chairman of
the Enforcement Committee of Gov
ernor O'Conor's Maryland Traffic
Safety Committee, in speaking of the
bill said, "While our Committee fav-
ers and has recommended Drivers
Training Course in all High Schools,
we do not recommend the use of
State Police to do the teaching. We
are most anxious to see the Legisla-
ture grant an increase in police per-
sonnel, but the Committee wants the
extra policemen for Road Patrol, and
not for teaching in the schools"
Continuing Mr.. Metzger said, "In
order that the Drivers Training
Course reach every high school stud
ent, our Committee recommended the
teaching be done by instructor un-
der the jurisdiction of the Boards of
Education. We have arranged to
have these teachers properly quail
fled through a course to be given at
the University of Maryland"
In explaining the reason for the
Committee opposing the use of State
Police in teaching, Mr.. Metzger said,
1--WE do not feel that policemen are
trained as teachers. They are espec-
tally trained as officers. Friendli-
ness, he said, between school chill
dren and police officers is a highly
desirable item and every effort should
be made to cultivate and promote
such a relationship. Familiarity, how
ever, is far from synonymous with
friendship, and should not be permit
ted to exist under these conditions.
It is a common and normal human
tendency for a citizen, whether he
be child or adult, to feel that he can
expect leniency in the enforcement
of laws when dealing with an Off
cial with whom the bonds of FRIEND
illness have been extended to familiar
ity. A child, particularly, may be ex-
pected to feel that he would not be
apprehended for traffic violations
later on by his former police-officer-
teacher.
1--WE must also consider the temp
tation of a police officer to overlook
certain violations by former pupil
of his, especially in the event that
such violations might reflect on his
ability as an instructor.
"The entire relationship built UP
between teacher-police and future
drivers is not one which would be
productive of obedience to, and re-
spect for, motor vehicle laws.
1--WE must maintain a certain pres
tige for the law, which prestige is
seriously jeopardized by the close ia
miliar and direct contact between
police officer and a student driver.
"The present police personnel is
already insufficient by far, to patrol
properly the highways, and we can
not permit educational duties to be
imposed on a force of men, that is
inadequate in number to do efficient
police work.
In explaining the inconsistency of
the idea of State Police teaching in
scrools, Mr.. Metzger said eff someone
should suggest that the high school
teachers perform police duties, such
as highway patrolling, etc., the pro-
posal would be ridiculed for obvious
reasons. If we carefully analyze the
reverse procedure, namely, that po-
police officers perform teaching du-
ties, we will find the idea equally
ridiculous.
"The largest organizations inter-
ested in motorist problems agree with
the plan of the Maryland Traffic
Safety Committee" Mr.. Metzger
said, "and they are not in agreement
with the proposed legislation on
House Bill No. 1876. Under the plan
the Senate now has for its considera-
ton, the counties would be the only
ones to benefit, because Baltimore
City is not included in the bill. Then
too," he continued, "Our State Troop
ers are maintained by funds created
from Motor Vehicle Revenues and e.
very motorist pays a share, therefore
no political subdivisions should re-
ceive the benefits of this service of
teaching our children, without it be-
ing available to all.
"The various departments of Edu-
cation now control the teaching of
all subjects and they set the stan
dards for the license granted to teach