The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-05-15

What makes the waterbury Po-
lice Department "tick" is described
in the following article written by
Drillmaster william G. Dryer of the
police accident prevention bureau:
How many people are acquainted
with the organization of their local
police department? 1t is surprising
but TRUE that only a small percent
age Of the taxpayers in Waterbury
really know how their money is
spent for police protection. Our de-
partment like most police agencies
Is subject to more or less criticism
due In large measure to the res
trictive nature Of the type work re-
CURED by an enforcement body. In
our efforts to improve relations be-
tween the public and the police, we
ask the many organizations
throughout the city to pay us So
cial visit and We will try and ex-
plain the many functions that are
carried out daily by the police. The
modern police department differs
somewhat from the o!den days due,
to the changes made In our pattern
Of living. For example, the mass
production of automobiles, radios as
a means of inter- communications
within our department, parking
meters to alleviate the confusion
which was so widespread In the
business districts, creation of an &C
cident prevention bureau, a motor
patrol for accident investigation and
to combat any crimes where auto
mobiles are used by the perpetra-
tors and to answer all emergency
calls. Due to the war emergency
there has been created a number
OF special assignments within the
police department to work in case
OF sabotage. espionage or anything
that may arise which effects the
safety Of the city and Its inhabit-
ants. All this work Is done in CO.
operation with the Federal Bureau
of Investigation and for this reason
I cannot elaborate on this phase of
the work being done, it being strict
ly confidential government business
An auxiliary police force has been
trained and are ready for duty call
on short notice In the event Of
air raids, etc. There is also a paint
and sign shop which takes care of
all parking and directional signs,
also signs used in blocking off
streets in case of large fires or any
other emergency that may arise and
the painting Of crosswalks and
curbs, etc. The Identification Bur-
eau has been modcrnized and the
so-called vice squad has been placed
under the jurisdiction of the Chief
Inspector Of the Detective Bureau
who also is head of the Identifica-
ton Bureau. The Dog Warden and
his assistant are also appointed by
the police superintendent and are
q part Of the police organization.
The Matron of the police depart
ment handles all the female VIOLA
tors and she Is on duty twenty-four
hours day. Her living quarters are
located In headquarters where she
can be contacted on a moments
notice. She also accompanys all fe-
males who are sent to any state in
5titution. The traffic squad has been
an important branch of all police |
for many years and |
some of their work Is tied in very
closely with the Meter division who
operate the meters In the business
section Of Waterbury. They cover
all the important crossings In the
downtown area where the pedes-
TRAN movement is in need OF as
sistance. The training In the use Of
firearms is a part OF the depart
nent'S routine and Is under the di-
rection of the drillmaster and fire.
arms instructor. All new SUPER
numeraries are instructed in the
fundamentals Of police work before
they are assigned to active duty. |
We also cooperate with the school
department In connection with child |
safety, distributing posters, booklets,
etc. Radio programs have been
sponsored by the accident preven- !
ton bureau during the summer
months for children of the different |
Fairgrounds. In the safety field this !
bureau also sends out speakers for !
many community meetings where
the problems Of the various sections
can be discussed. The school on
traffic laws which has been In eX-
istence since 1889 has the distinc-
ton Of being the only one of its
kind operated by any municipal po-
lice department in the East. This is
free to the public and about two
thousand persons have taken adj
OF this service. 1t has been
discontinued temporarily due to the
fact that the instructors of this
school are engaged In defense work
IN conjunction with the police de-
parfment. Booklets, ETC., are still
available free to anyone calling at
headquarters for them.
Your police department Is located
in the City Hall building In the
rear with the entrance on the West
side facing Library Park. We are
open twenty-four hours a day and
our phone numbers are 3-4141 and
3-4142.
The following is a list Of the units
IN the police organization here In
Waterbury:
The Detective Bureau-The De-
tective Bureau, the Vice Squad, the
Bureau Of Identification. Mrs. Mary