Evening star., 1941-07-13
Citizens AssaiI
Interferencein in
Police Affairs
+ Federation Bourd
Sends Congress l9
Recommendations

Citations last night condemned in
reference by members of Congress
and other Federal officials in the
internal affairs of the Police De-
partment and expressed opposition
to the "ousting" of Police Chief
Ernest w. Brown.
Following action by the Fedora
tion's executive board, empowered to
act in the summer recess of the dele
gates, the citizens forwarded to the
Capitol, the District Building, and
the Police Department a report con-
tanning 10 recommendation for the
Improvement of the Police Depart
ment.
At the same time, at least one
member of the board, Harry S. Wen
der, deplored the closing Of the in
veStigation conducted by the Police
and Fire Subcommittee of the House
District Committee without giving
the citizen groups a chance to be
heard.
Says Citizens Know Problems.
Il don't think the investigation
witnesses should have been limited
to the members of the department
under scrutiny" he said. Many of
the citizen groups like the Fedora
tion and the Board of Trade, and
such outfits as the Washington
Criminal Justice Association, have
been in close touch with the police
problems here and ought to have
been allowed to present their points
of view"
In connection with Maj. Brown,
the report described him as "an
honest, efficient and capable police
administrator" and did not believe
Ibis resignation or removal from
Office" would be of any benefit to
the District or serve to solve the
crime problem. His retirement, on
the contrary, would injure the mo-
rale Of the department and he
should be retained to put into effect
any reorganization decided upon,
the report declared.
Meddling of Congress in police ad-
ministration, appointment and pro-
motion of personnel and official
Influence in cases of persons charged
with offenSeS here were "particu-
larly condemned"
Vagrancy Law Urged.
Congress was asked Immediately
to pass new vagrancy law to keep
the District free of habitual GRIM
inals and undesirables. The Fed
Grafton, however, was opposed to
giving the F. B. I. jurisdiction to
investigate certain crimes here.
Retention of the Special Investi-
cations Souad-branded a "Gestapo"
which spies on other police, in the
recent hearings at the Capitol
was advocated under the direct su-
pervision of the police chief.
The citizens also expressed the
opinion that the Commissioners
should not interfere with the find
ings of the Police Trial Board rec
ommending dismissal of officers
guilty of serious charges. This fol-
lowed testimony during the hearings
that the city heads made numerous
changes in trial board recommended
tions.
I'VE particularly resent and op-
pose action by Congress in legislat-
ing to reinstate officers after their
removal from the force following
trial and review by the Commits
sioners," the report added
Speedy Trials Asked.
Prompt trial of criminal cases was
urged as a means of encouraging
witnesses to testify, the present sys-
TEN resulting in waste of police
officers time and serving to dis
courage them from serving as wit
nesses. according to the report.
All crimes involving sex delin-
quency should be considered felo-
nies and punishment should include
longtime parole period of not less
than 10 years after they have been
released from custody, regardless of
the sentence imposed, the citizens
stated.
The practice of permitting fends
and perverts who have been found
guilty of sex offenses on numerous
occasions to associate with respect
able citizens without restraint of
any kind is reprehensible and de-
serving of careful investigation by
Congress" said the report.
The civic leaders contended that
no effective local government would
be possible here until affairs are
placed in the hands of citizens duly
elected by the residents of the Dis
trict of Columbia"
Other Recommendations.
The other recommendation were
that.
All men on the force be afforded
ample opportunity to attend the
F. B. I. or other recognized schools
In crlminology, that they receive
credit for this self-improvement
when promotions are made, and
that the department maintain a
criminology school for retraining of
men in service
A definite age limit be set for
compulsory retirement of police
officers.
Police officers should not be per-
mltted to engage in any other type
OF employment or to own or par
ncipate in any other business what
soever.
Compulsory craftsmanship train
ing should be financed by the Dis
trict for all police officers.
A modern crime laboratory with
proper personnel and equipment and
under properly qualified chemist
is needed
A minimum of 100 men should be
added to the force.
Special police assignments to pri-
vate agencies and organizations
should be charged for commensu-
rate with such services.
Metropolitan, Park and Zoo DO
lice should be consolidated.
Police officers performing clerical
functions should be supplanted by
civilians.
An iron-clad order prohibiting DO
lice from soliciting funds for any
purpose whatsoever, regardless of
the merit of the cause, should be
issued.