Evening star., 1941-07-02
By JAMES +. CHM.

ANY inefflcienCy in the Washing
ton Police Department can be laid
at the doors Of the Commissioners"
the House subcommittee invests
eating the department was told to-
dav by inspector William G.. Stott,
veteran .. Sc years service who
will 90 on the retired list August /.
Inspector Stott testified the Capt.
tai had one CT the finest police
departments in the country, but
it is 'moleSted zoo much by mem
bers OF Congress. businessmen and
citizens" he said.
The inspector. who has been the
departments property officer for
some years and also served as chair
man of the Police Trial Board,
declared that if there is any in
efficiency cid shaken morale the
blame can be placed on the Com
missloners for reducing penalties
prescribed Dy the board In the
last 10 years. ne pointed out, the
Commissioners reversed the trial
boards recommendations about 50
times.
Immediately after that statement
Representative Hebert Of LOUISIANA,
acting chairman OF the subCOmmlt-
tee in the absence of Representative
Schultz Of Indiana, called on Com
missiOners Hazen and Young, who
were present, 10 submit as soon as
possible a report showing the Trial
Board cases over the last l0-yeaT
period. noting the recommendations
Of the board. the action Of the Com
missioners and. in cases Of reversal
Of recommendation, an explanation
Of the reason.
Constant Requests Described.
Inspector StOtt chmaXed his 36-
year career on the police force by
appearing before the committee.
He ended his official service yester-
day. but an accumulation Of leave
allowed him 10 remain or the pay
roll for another month before going
on a retired status. Tonight he
plans TO leave for Florida and later
Honduras
Soon after the veteran police Off
cial took the witness stand. Repre-
sentative Hebert asked him for sug-
gesuons that would make Washing
ton "a better place in which to live
Frankly, said the acting chair
man, Il don't think il is a safe place
III which TO live today We want
you to loosen up. inspector. and tell
us what you know. We don't want
to hear only the bad
We've got one Of the finest police
departments in the country, but it
is molested too much,' Inspector
Stott began.
Who molests you?" asked Repre-
sentative Hebert.
Citizens. Congressman, business
men, everybody" he declared. "Thev
call up headquarters all the time
when arrests are made in an effort
TO have somebody gotten off"
That's bad commented Mr..
Hebert
Records Kept of FavorS.
Mr.. Hebert wanted to know where
the records are kept of cases in
which persons call up and ask favors
Of the department.
Inspector Stott told him there was
a complete record at police head
quarters.
Who had those records?' asked
Mr. Hebert.
Ambrose Dirkin," came the reply.
Mr. Dirkin is a detective sergeant
in charge of criminal records.
Inspector Stott explained he had
been a member of the Police Trial
Board for II years and had observed
time after time action of the
Commissioners in reducing a recon-
mendation of the board for dis
miSSal to a $500 fine.
IF there is any inefficiency TO the
Police Department" he DECLARED, 1T
can be laid at the doors of the
Commissioners. When the board
recommends dismissal and the Com
miSsioners keep a man on the force,
that hurts morale"
Cites Specific Case.
The inspector said he knew OF one
case in which an officer had twice
been recommended for dismissal
(See POLICE. Page A-3)