The Wilmington morning star., 1947-09-28
Demands Full Investigation

Admission by a Wilmington policeman that
he struck a prisoner later acquitted of re.
sisting arrest, together with testimony by
witnesses and strong reprimand by Judge
H. Winfield Smith that the officer fused
too much force in making the arrest" would
ordinarily encourage investigation of such
an incident.
But the fact the officer, G. H. Hines, told
the court he couldn't remember how many
times I've beaten people in the last six
months" makes a thorough, impartial probe
of his conduct imperative.
During the trial, in which the defendant
was found guilty of being drunk and dis
orderly, Judge Smith pointed out that
earlier in the week three persons claimed
they were struck by this policeman. That
the jurist sympathized with the latest vic
tim is shown in his remittal of the fine and
costs.
So far, investigation Of the incident by
Police Chief Hubert Hayes does not appear
to be sufficient.
Although he has transferred Officer Hines
from patrol car to beat duty for four months,
and deprived him Of his weekly day off for
the coming ten weeks, this action should
not be allowed to close the case. In punish
ing him, Chief Hayes has shown he believes
his subordinate guilty of misconduct unbe-
coming to an officer. But he has done moth
ing to remove him from the opportunity of
beating another man.
There was, from all we nave been able to
learn, little reason for the assault. If two
Wilmington policemen cannot handle a At
year-old man without abusing him physical
ly, then it is time to look into their ability
to fulfill their jobs. And the study should
not be made by the Chief alone but such
a body as the Civil Service commission.
Judge Smith was quite right in making
special effort to obtain as many facts as
possible in the case.
h whole community agrees with his
statement that "the police department
should have no men on the force who habi-
tually beat their arrestees."
His attitude is to be commended by all
who want the city policed by men who can
discharge their duties without resorting to
their fists Or blackjacks. We are told the
victim in this case was not a hardened
criminal; it was his first brush with the
law. Yet, he was apparently treated as if
he were a dangerous desperate.
Perhaps a bench warrant for assault the
next time a similar incident is brought to
light in court would teach some officers
that control of their tempers and weapons
is an important responsibility of their posi-
lions. One Indictment would be worth a
thousand reprimands from the bench. With
1t would come, of course, suspension of the
officer until further investigation, a course
which has not been followed in the current
case.
Proof that the policeman's conduct was
most unbecoming is given in the testimony
of one of the witnesses, Assistant Jailer
Jimmy Ray.
Appearing in Recorders court, he told
Judge Smith he did not see Kelly strike
Hines, as the officer claims, but that he did
see the policeman hit his prisoner. Ray
added that Il rushed over to Kelly's side
and asked Hines not to hit him any more"
Do you believe Mr.. Ray would have done
this had he thought the defendant a danger
Gus criminal, really threatening the officer?
A competent policeman, who demands
and receives respect of himself and the law
he represents, doesn't nave to resort to mis-
treatment OF the person he is arresting. 1t is
the other kind who have to slug away. We
do not know into which Classification Of
ficer Hines falls. Neither will anyone else
until a sincere investigation, and not just
a departmental slap on the wrist, is made not
only of this latest incident but his past
lrecord In treatment of prisoners.