Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-09-25
Police toCtose
MoreCases,
Barrett Says
Compliments Refusing
To Back Charges to Be
Dealt With SternIy


Intensified detective work in the
precincts and stern dealing with
persons who make false reports OF
refuse to back up their complaints
will begin to show up in Washington
crime statistics soon, Police Supt
Robert j. Barrett predicted today.
We'll still have lot of cases
but we'll have more closed cases,
Maj. Barrett declared when inter.
viewed by The Star by telephone ir
Duluth, Mimi, where he has beer
attending the convention of the
International Association of Chiefs
of Police.
His promise of a better record or
closed cases came as the Federation
of Business Mems Associations ex.
pressed confidence in his depart
ment and the Commissioners an
nounced appointment of % addi-
tional policemen to the force.
Recalls Former System.
when was detective sergeant
we used to bring every one con-
nected with a case down to the
United States Attorneys Office for 9
hearing and we'd issue summons
for the person who made the COM
plant If he wouldn't come in voiun-
tarily," Maj. Barrett recalled.
Furthermore, If a precinct detec-
tive wasn't closing as many cases
as his superiors thought he should
he'd be replaced"
Maj. Barrett said serious man
power shortages in the department
brought on by the war, caused the
system to bog down.
It'll take little time, but our
record will improve as soon as we
have the men to man all beats and
are able to make closing cases the
responsibility of the precinct detec-
tives. OF course, the men on the
beats will have to cooperate in the
Investigations"
Force Still Short 80 Men.
Maj. Barrett expressed pleasure
at the appointment of the % pro-
stationary first-class privates an
nounced today. but pointed out the
department still is about 80 men
short of its authorized strength.
I'm the old days, a policeman
knew every one on his beat he
said. That's the way to close
cases. But man can't get to know
his beat we'll if he has to be shifted
from one to another or cover sew
eral because there aren't enough
men.
when our plan gets into opera
ton, it'll mean more work for the
precinct detectives" he said, "but
we'll have a much better record on
closed cases. There1l be an inspector
checking up on the detectives, and
they'll just have to be replaced if
they don't produce We're going to
put this department on a paying
basis"
Stern Measures Planned.
Persons who report robberies or
assaults to police and then want the
matter forgotten after an arrest is
made will have to do their talking
in the United States attorneys Of
flee, he warned. Those who make re-
ports found false will be charged
with the offense of making a false
report to police, he added.
Then, we can mark the cases
closed by arrest and the disposition
will be up to the United States at
torney and the courts" he said.
Maj. Barrett expressed gratitude
for the action of the businessmen S
group In sending a letter of conf
dence in his administration to the
Commissioners.
Young Makes Letter Public
The communication, made public
by Commissioner John Russell
Young, was signed by Louis F
Prick, secretary of the association.
1t stated the group was "of the
opinion that the Metropolitan po-
lice and Supt. Robert J. Barrett
have been unjustly criticized by
the public and press in the last
few months"
The new policemen announced
by Commissioner Young will be on
probation for one year and will be
paid $2,72O.95 a year. They are:
Gerald F. Smith, Richard A
Barnes, Marston Beals, Louis Deeb
Joseph E. Donahue, Herman D
Evans, Roy D. Griffin, Rodney P
Hambleton. William E. Hauser, jr.;
Lewis c. Hines, Joseph w. Jones
Samuel j. Lombardo, Erskine E
Mackall, Kyle v. McGhee, Donald
MICA. Mansfield, Vincent F. MAJ
zello, James S. Payne, Alvin L
Pinkney, James G. Priest, Edward
E. Proudfoot, Herman E. Ray, jr.,
Malon H. Shreve, Ernest C. Smith
jr.; Warren o. Smith, Merl E
Swope,, Milton T. Taylor, Raymond
j. Wrenn and Peter Zacharko.
In addition to filling the remain
ing vacancies, Maj. Barrett hope:
to obtain funds for an additional
205 men in the 1889 fiscal year tx
bring the strength of the depart.