The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-07-31
Witherspo0n Denies Police Mstreated Social Worker
POLICE Chief.
CLAIMS CASE
EXAGGERATED
X epOrt Stated In A
Letter To NAACP
Secretary

The NAACP was advised by
Commissioner John H. Witherspoon
that after investigation OF the COM
plant Of Mrs. Ardena Johnston. a
social worker. "it appears that the
facts are somewhat exagger-
ated." In letter to Gloster B. Cur
rent, executive secretary, NAACP,
Witherspoon stated
Text or Letter
Under date OF July IA you sub
mitted To this office the affidavit OF
Mrs. Ardena Johnston, 5l4 West
minister avenue. concerning alleged
mistreatmcnt by a police officer,
with a request that proper measures
be taken against the officer. Please
be advised that ! have had this
matter thoroughly investigated and
81 appears that the facts as stated
IN Mrs. Johnston's affidavit are
somewhat exaggerated.
Officers in the department were
called by radio run Ia Warren
and Hastings street. Upon arrival
they found an individual by the
name OF Kate Daniels, Of 928 Theo-
dore street. in the doorway OF
drug store. bent on her knees. SUI
ferine from an injury which was
not definitely ascertained at the
time. The injured lady informed
the officers that her husband had
severcly beaten her. The officers
attempted 10 move the lady into
q more comfortable position and
suggested that she go in and Sit IN
the drug store. but in attempting 10
move her. she manifested pain tn
a degree that indicated that she
had severe internal injuries or frac-
tured bones II is strictly IN &C
cord with the rules Of the depart
ncnt not 70 move persons who APP
pear 10 be severely injured intern
sllv until stretcher equipment and
q proper conveyance is there 20 re-
move them 10 a hospital The rea-
.or for the rule is obvious. as the
moving Of a person injured intern
allv. without proper equipment.
quite often aggravates the injury
70 considerable degree and IS
q generally dangerous thing to do.
When the department was called
and the officers responded. the Gus
fodv Of the injured person was tne
responsibility Of the department
Mrs. Johnston. the deponent, at
,empted 10 interfere with the hand
ling OF the situation by the officers.
Her actions were no doubt
brought about BY good intentions.
but she had no right to attempt 10
interfere with the handling OF the
Injured woman. which was al that
time the responsibility Of the OF
Ulcers. The fact that she was en-
rloved by a social agency did not
give Ter the night The officers ola
no. take any action 10 eliminate
The jn,crferenccs other than was
necessary under TIC circumstances,
with threat az detention II She con-
tinucd. find no indication that al
erv time tho conduct OF the Of
Ulcers was d,scourteous or IN any
manner improper. Her actions al
the scene only tended 10 excite and
gather a crowd. and u is the hnd-
ing 81 the investigating officers that
the policemen on the scene acted
without prejudice and only took
such action as was necessary 10
keen the situation under control.
Records 81 the Receiving Hospital
indicate that on admittancc II was
found tina, the injured person was
suffering from possible fractured
o. cracked ribs and abrasions OF the
right elbow. She was also alco-
hole. not 10 a hospital degree.
Dcponcnt. in her affidavit. states
tha, the injured lady's dress was
hish above her waist In her state
men. 10 the investigating officers
she qualified this statement by say
ing the dress was slightly above
ihe left knee.
In view Of the foregoing. II ap-
pears that the officers conducted
themselves properly under the CIR
eums,ances. that the dcponcnt was
attempting 20 interfere with Of
ficers in the conduct Of their duty,
therefore no action will be taken
against the police officers"
Very truly yours,
tSigncd) COMMISSIONER.