Evening star., 1941-06-22
Police Inquiry
May Delay
Promotions
Stefon Suggests
Funds for Modern
Crime Laboratory

Plans for an investigation of the
District Police Department and a
survey of ways to improve it prob
ably will delay promotions to fill
ranking police vacancies, it was
said yesterday at the District Build
ing.
The Commissioners announced last
Wednesday that they plan an in
vesEgation of the department by a
special board of police officers and
citizens, and there is pending in the
House District Committee a request
for a thorough investigation of the
department.
Representative Hebert, Democrat,
of Louisiana, author of the House
inquiry plan, said last night he ex-
poets favorable action when his re-
quest comes before the committee
tomorrow.
At the same time, Representative
Stefan, Republican, of Nebraska
suggested that the department be
given sufficient funds to set up a
modern crime laboratory patterned
after the one used by the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.
Weren't Heading Congress OFF.
At the time the Commissioners
announced plans for the inquiry they
emphasized it was not to be con-
strued as suggestion that Con-
gress should not investigate the de-
partment. The study of the police
set-up was decided upon before the
murder of Miss Jessie Elizabeth
Strieff last Monday, they said. The
Strieff case has resulted in many
demands that local police force be
strengthened.
The Commissioners feel it would
be unwise to select new inspectors
and make other changes until inves-
tigatorS have an opportunity to re-
port on police efficiency. Both Com
missioners Hazen and Young ex-
pressed this view.
The Commissioners declared even
an indefinite delay in making pro-
motions in high police ranks, how
ever, should not be interpreted as
directed at any one, or all of the
men heretofore slated for promo
ton.
Tentatively Approved Promotions.
The Commissioners already have
approved the retirements of As
sistant Superintendent of Police L.
1. H. Edwards; Inspector Bernard
w. Thompson, chief of detectives;
and Inspector William G. Stott, in
charge of police uniforms. The
Commissioners indicated previously
they had tentatively selected In
spector. James r. Beckett, for promo
tion to assistanE superintendent, to
take charge of police personnel
work; Acting Capt. Ira Keck, to be
chief of detectives; Capt. Harvey
Callahan, to be inspector, succeeding
Inspector Beckett on his promotion;
and Capt. Richard Mansfield, to sue
ceed Inspector Stott
Mr.. Stefan, ranking minority
member of the House Appropriations
Subcommittee in charge of the Dis
trict supply bill, declared in discuss
ing his crime laboratory plans:
1T took a crime wave to bring to
light the fact that the police de-
partment is not properly equipped
with the scientific devices used in
modern criminal Investigations. 1t
is shocking condition. Of all the
major cities in the country, Wash
ington should have police depart
ment, adequately manned, efficient
and on its toes at all times. More
over, it should not be without Z
crime laboratory. That is an i'm
portant asset to any police depart
ment."
Special Order of Business.
The request of Mr.. Hebcrt for an
investigation of the police depart
ment is the special order of busi-
ness before the District Committee
when it meets at 10 am. tomorrow
II am sure the committee is not
going to turn me down." Mr.. Hebert
said. "If the special subcommittee
is appointed I am going to insist
that it begin work the following
day. We can't afford to let this
thing get cold"
Mr.. Hebert, who has been one of
the most active members of the
committee since his appointment in
January, disclosed that after he
proposed the investigation last Tues
day, he received scores of letters,
kilograms and telephone calls in
dorsing the plan. In all of the COM
munications, he pointed out, there
has not been a note of protest"
Like Mr.. Stefan, Mr.. Hebert said