Evening star., 1941-06-27

they would not learn anything in
particular at the F. B. I. school"
He told the subcommittee how
ever, police officials would exert
every effort to send any member
of the force to the F. B. l. school who
wants to attend it. I'VE would en-
courage such plan 100 per cent" ;"
he declared.
Definite Plan Emphasized.
Representative DirkSen expressed
the belief that if there is anything
wrong with the police department
it is due to the lack of a definite
plan for policing the city. He
argued that police superintendent
and his subordinates should know
the areas in which most crimes
are committed and take steps to
have such sections adequately
policed.
You have got to have a plan
and every member of the depart
ment must be familiar with it and
execute it "a hours a day, 7 days
week" Mr DirkSen said.
The plan is in effect right now
right here in this city" Inspector
Beckett responded.
Mr.. DirkSen inquired about In
spector Beckett's training.
My training has been practical
experience" he answered.
When I was on the beat" he
added. I knew every man, woman
and child on it. and something
about their family affairs, too.
When strangers came on my beat
1 knew it and watched them"
Inspector Beckett pointed out
that when he joined the force 81
years ago he was taken around by
a veteran officer for several days
and then went on his own. Now.
however he explained, new men,
Der of the force is not placed on
the streets until he successfully
completes a three-month intensive
course in the Police De-
school for rockies.
Representative Dirksen said he
had attended the lineup" at the
Detective Bureau and came to the
conclusion that 80 per cent of the
petty crime in Washington is COM
mitted by transients. He inquired
as to how the police checked on
them.
Check Declared Difficult.
That's a very difficult question to
=" Inspector Beckett replied.
You know We are on the main
between the North and the
South and it is difficult to keep
check on every stranger"
Inspector Beckett admitted that
during the morning and afternoon
traffic rush periods, the only police
protection afforded the residential
is by the officer in
scout cars. All foot patrolmen, he
said, are doing traffic duty during
these periods and sometimes one
of the two men in scout cars have
to be called off their assignment for
traffic work.
Inspector Beckett complained that
in addition TO the numerous special
duties imposed on members of the
police force they are required TO
enforce 1000 or $4,000 laws and
You have got some supermen on
that force from all of the things
that you describe" said Representa-
tive Hebert.
Chairman Schultz said he believed
that the messenger" duties now
performed by the police should be
assigned to civilians so that the
officers could devote all of their
time to patrolling their beats and
"get acquainted" with apartment
house janitors and telephone opera
tors and others who would be of
valuable assistance when a crime
is committed.
Thorough Check on Police Urged.
After listening to the testimony
of Inspector Beckett and the dis
cussion of various members of the
for nearly two hours,
Representative Sauthof said:
1T strikes me you've got to have
more thorough check on the po-
licemen."
Who checks on the patrolman
about 2 a.m.?" he asked.
The sergeant" Inspector Beckett
replied.
What kind of a report does he
make?" Mr.. Sauthoff asked.
None, unless there's something
wrong
The subcommittee has tentatively
planned to resume its investigation
Monday at 10 am. Inspector
Beckett will be recalled to the wit
ness stand at that time.
Mai. Brown, Inspector Beckett
told the investigators, would prob
ably be in condition to appear about
the middle of next week.
Inspector Beckett, substituting Tor
Police Supt. Ernest w. Brown. who
is confined to his home with an
infected foot, began his testimony by
reciting statistics showing the au-
thorized strength of the force is