The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1948-04-22
Police
Continued from Page u

NOltl1ueQ from rage ~
sion by the council was resumed
Councilman Cox asked if the civil
service commission is not respon-
slble for referral of patrolman
candidates.
Mayor Pratt replied that some
changes must be made in the
specifications for the job, if ap-
picants are to be found and quail
flied for employment. The local
resident requirement particularly
needs to be eliminated, he indi-
Gated.
Councilman Campbell again sup
ported the mayor with the state
ment that shortly 1--WE will sit
here with the chief and one man.
Three quits" he agreed indicate
some need for corrective action
Among the charges set forth in
the resolution are that city ex-
panslon demands man in the po-
sition of police chief of proven adj
ministrative ability and exper-
fence; that Chief Kershaw has
taken no civil service examination
to qualify for his position: that
he has no background of exper-
fence to qualify him for his du-
ties; and that his various absences
from the city have contributed to
the present chaotic condition of
the force.
Councilman Richmond warned
of the possibility that the remain
ing force of one chief and one pa
trolman could become even small
er. if a hasty action for DISMISSAL
were approved. The force, he
sad, could in this way be reduced
to only one man.
At last. upon his suggestion, an
invitation was sent to Chief Ker-
shaw to meet with the council,
hear the resolution, and present
his own comments.
The council then moved an .ev-
ecutive session, and cleared the
chamber of all save civic officials
At the conclusion of the session
during which no legal action car
be taken. the mayor announced
that the council had taken no &C.
ton at all on the matter.
"In the absence of any action by
the city council" Mayor Pratt
said: ~ must act alone to correc
the condition"
He revealed that he would mov'
in the matter at an early date, bu
declined to say what his actor
would be.
Today ex-Patrolman Forake
made a public statement of hi
reasons for resigning. Said For
aker:
I feel I owe this communit.
an explanation of the many fac
tors involving my recent reslg
nation.
After working for the interes
of the city for the past six year
the failure of Chief Kershaw t
inform me that he was to be on
of town not only on this recen
occasion but also in the past ant
then once again to place anothe
man in charge only heaped NOR
Goals on the fire.
A year ago in the absence o
the Chief, / informed the Mayo
that if I wasn't capable of run
ming the Police Dept, for thre'
days, then I was too dumb t.
accept the city's money. AT tina
time he was sure that matter
could be Strengthened out, bu
they were not.
The Chief has never been sat
isfied with my meter work. HI
felt that I should write a ticke
for every meter violation, but n
never made any effort to collec
a ticket after one was written
A total of 1874 unpaid ticket:
written in 1916 were thrown
away and a total of 121 unpaie
are on file for 1947.
AS for target practice-the only
time we've had any has beer
when we swiped the ammunition
and slipped away to shoot at :
tin can.
The city has spent a nice sun
of money to send one man to
traffic school. The Chief never
called one meeting to let thl:
man tell us what he learned.
We have been criticized man,
times for the fast traffic: For 3
long time we never had a ca,
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