Evening star., 1946-07-02
Callahan Studie!
Plan Of Periodic
Precinct Shifts
Move Would Raise
Efficiency Of Police
Force, Chief Says

Mai. Harvey G.. Callahan, police
superintendent, today told The Star
he is seriously considering inau-
guration of periodic transfers of
all precinct captains to improve
efficiency of the force.
Many cities transfer their precinct
commanders periodically, with en-
tnent success, as does the Federal
Bureau Of Investigation shift its
field agents, Maj. Callahan said.
At present, precinct captains in
Washington are transferred sporad-
ically, some remaining at one post
for as long as five years, others being
ordered from place to place as often
as once q year. Invariably, the
transfers are described as routine" !"
Explains Reason for Transfers.
Some men tend to grow stale If
they are left in one precinct too
long Maj. Callahan said, while
others might be too slow for a down.
town precinct and yet could do a
good Job in quiet precinct like No.
6 or No. II.
These captains get friendly with
their men, or get to know the people
in their precinct too well and we
occasionally find it advisable to
order transfers to improve the quail
ity of the force.
Il have been seriously considering
adoption of a system whereby all
precinct commanders would serve a
set tour of duty in one precinct and
then automatically be transferred
to another section in routine way"
Beach Transfer Stirs Speculation.
The disclosure recalled the recent
transfer of Capt. Beverly Beach
from No. precinct-a post he held
less than a year-to No. 6 precinct.
The transfer was described as ''rou-
tine" but there has been speculation
as to whether the shift was con-
nected with Capt. Beach's anti
gambling activities and hte Febru-
ary raid on the Variety Club.
Maj. Callahan said today he had
discussed the raid with Capt. Beach
before it was carried out, told him to
go ahead" with it and fully ap-
proved of his action Six slot ma
chimes were confiscated in the club
and an employe was arrested on
charges of setting up gaming table
and permitting gambling on the
premises by Capt. Beach's men.
The transfer of Capt. Beach made
way for the return of the then COM
mander of No. 6, Capt. Robert c.
Pearce, to No. /, where he served
for Is years Capt. Pearce admitted
he was "overjoyed" to return to the
downtown precinct from No. 6, a
section of the city. it was noted,
where practically no gambling is
carried on.
Among police captains who have
remained at one post for extended
periods are: Capt. John R. Jefries,
commander of No. 9 since November
!, 1912; Capt. Clarence Lutz, COM
mander at No. 10 since October /,
1941; Capt. Archie M. Winfree,
commander at No. 7 since November
/. 1941: Capt. John Flaherty. COM
mander at No. 5 since March /, 1914;
Capt. Ben Kuehling, commander
at No. since March l, 1914; Capt
George Wallredt, commander at No.
3 since October 1945, but attached
to the precinct before that since
1910; Capt. Walter Storm, COM
mander at No. IL since October l.,
1941, and 1t Otha R. Sanders, COM
mander of the Harbor precinct since
June l, 1912.
Other captains have seen fire.
uuent shifts one place to another
in what were termed routine"
transfers.
In April, 1945. Capt. William Cum
ningham of the Traffic Division,
was moved to No. II in a shift
with Capt. Albert I. Bullock. Six
months later the two men were
shifted back to their original as
signmentS and are still incumbent