Evening star., 1943-02-24
Restricted Duty
Ordered for
.Auxi|idryPo|ice
Statement of Policy
Indicates Supervised
PotroIing of Beats
By DON s. WARREN


according to the terms of the civil
ian defense statement of policy
adopted late yesterday by the Com
missioners.
Walking of beats was given i'm
piled approval in the Commission
erS' action, in that in describing
limited powers of arrest which may
be exercised by the OCD auxiliaries,
reference was made to arrests
which may be made in the company
of and under the direction of men,
bers of the Metropolitan Police.
Commissioner Mason acting CO.
ordinator for civilian defense in the
absence of Commissioner Young.
and Corporation Counsel Richmond
B. Keech emphasized today after a
conference that permission for aux
lllarieS to walk beats as a matter of
adequate training would not allow
them to do patrol work at their own
pleasure, but rather would be under
definite control. Further, the Com
missioner emphasized auXiliaries
would not be permitted to do police
work ION their own"
More Training Authorized.
The formal statement of policy
carried the assumption that all
auxiliaries now qualified had had
sufficient training. but Mr.. Mason
and Mr.. Keech said it was planned
to add clause under which further
training would be given as specified
by the major and superintendent of
police, and it is expected this will
carry a maximum number of hours
during which an auxiliary may serve
in walking beats with regular for
training.
This provision is to be added. they
said, because some auxiliaries. al
though they have passed the pre-
scribed training course, may be
found to have had insufficient actual
instruction on street duty and be-
cause new enlistments in the auxili-
ary would need such training.
Further, they said. others may be
found to need refresher training.
Commissioner Mason said patrolling
would be done only with permission
and assignment by competent police
officials.
Details yet are to be ironed out.
The statement Of policy was adopted
as guide to completion of the
auxiliary police manual now under
preparation by legal officials of the
District.
Attitude Little Changed.
The Commissioners position IS
but little different from that held
when they prohibited regular" po-
lice activities by members of the
auxiliary corps some weeks ago.
Auxiliaries may carry arms only
with the specific permission of the
Commissioners, on recommendation
by the police chief.
outside of emergencies" the
auxiliaries have but little in the way
OF powers OF arrest. These are
limited to emergencies during enemy
action, but even then subject to
orders from the civilian defense
director, or when they are acting
under the immediate direction of a
regular policeman, or to enforce the
blackout law, or to such powers
held by the private citizen. In the
latter case, this is limited to cases
wherein one acts to prevent COM
mission of felony.
Should Call Policemen.
In regard to enforcement of the
Blackout Act, Commissioner Mason
explained the usual past practice
would be ordered; that is. even in
the case of willful refusal to turn
off lights in blackout, the aux
iliary should report TO his superiors
instead of physically arresting the
accused. He added a threat of vio-
lent action would be different He
continued, I'VE want the auxiliaries
to have proper training. Orders will
be issued to make clear we do not
expect our auxiliaries to be respon-
sible for ordinary police work"
The Commissioners statement
outlined that disqualification and
medical care may be given at the
expense of the District to auxiliaries
only if they are injured 'in line of
duty under the terms of the policy
statement.
The rules were issued, on recon-
mendation by Corporation Counsel
Keech, after approval had been
given to the outline by Police Supt.
Edward j. Kelly, Inspector Harvey
G. Callahan, assistant superintend-
ent of police, and Sergt. John Ryan,
head OF the training school for aux
iliary police.
Statement on Powers.
The statement of policy as to
the powers of auxiliary police was
as follows:
Auxiliary police shall serve dur
ing blackoutS and AFRAID alerts,
practice and otherwise, and emer-
gencies created by enemy action as
specified by the director of civilian
defense, District of Columbia.
Auxiliary police shall possess all
powers of members of the regular
police force, subject to the following
conditions:
"QD Such powers may be exer-
cised only during the periods of
service as specified above.
"(2) The power to arrest shall be
exercised only;
"ta). During emergencies Great
ed by enemy action, as specified by
the director of civilian defense, Dis
trict of Columbia. or
"(b). When in the company of,
and acting under the immediate di-
rection of, a member of the Metro
politan Police Force: or
"tc). To enforce the regulations
under the BlaCkout Act; or
I'D. In such cases where private
citizens possess the power to ar
rest.
Need Authority for Firearms.
"t3) No auxiliary policeman shall
carry firearms without first having
obtained authority from the Com
miSsioners of the District of Co
lumbia on the specific recommen-
dation Of the major and Superin-
tendent, Metropolitan Police, District