Evening star., 1948-11-23

Authorized Here
Age and Height Rules
For Regulars Eosed;
30 Women to Be Hired
FIREMEN to Augment d. c. Police
at Inauguration. Page B-l.
The Commissioners today ap-
proved three measures for ex-
panding Washington'S UNDER
manned Metropolitan Police
force.
They authorized:
Establishment of a special Police
Department civilian reserve for the
use In time of emergency and civil
disturbance.
Relaxation of the maximum age
requirements for male policemen
from 81 to 80 and reduction OF the
height requirement from 5 feet 8
inches to feet z inches.
Recruitment of 80 policewomen
for assignment in uniform to the ID
precincts.
Recommended by Barrett.
These actions were authorized on
recommendation Of Police Supt.
Robert j. Barrett, who has been
unable to fill the more than 200 va
cancies on the police force. At the
sz-!s time the age limits fer woman J
.,s.cbers OF the police force were
changed from the existing Is to
IS years to range Of from 81 to SO.
In granting Maj. Barrett the
authority he asked a month ago to
organize a volunteer Police Reserve
Corps, the Commissioners followed
the advice Of Corporation Counsel
Vernon E. West in making technical
changes In the authorization order.
Mr.. West said the changes were
discussed in detail with Maj. Barrett,
who advised that he believes the
authorization will enable him Ito
start the program now deemed vital
to civil defense"
The final version Of the order
authorizes Maj. Barrett to select,
train and equip special police re-
serve to be known as the Metropol-
itan Police Department Reserve
Corps. Members will receive neces-
sary training and serve without pay.
The Commissioners will award a
certificate Of membership to indi-
viduals who have been certified by
Maj. Barrett as qualified and having
received the necessary training.
They will be appointed by the Com
missioners as special privates for q
specified time for service during any
emergency of riot, invasion, insur-
rection, or any day Of public cere-
mony or celebration.
Will Wear Emblem.
Special reserve privates will possess
all the powers and privileges and
iperform all the duties of the stand
ing police force and will wear an
identifying emblem. Their appoint
ment may be terminated by the
Commissioners at any time without
trial.
The order originally suggested by
Maj. Barrett was changed in sev-
eral respects. Maj. Barrett had
asked that the appointments be
made for three years and did not
propose certificates of qualification.
Otherwise, the suggested order and
the adopted version are identical.
Mr.. West also explained that the
police chiefs proposal would have
given the reservists police powers
as soon as appointed. Under the
revised order, they would hold such
powers only when emergencies exist
despite the date of their appoint
ment.
In his opinion to the Commits
sioners, Corporation Counsel West
said he believed the order requested
by Maj. Barrett required statutory
authorization in excess OF the Dis
trict code.
Concurs in Changes.
Mr.. West told the Commissioners,
however, that a revised version of
the order would make it not only
possible but practicable to establish
a reserve corps under existing law.
He said his suggested order-which
was adopted-would accomplish the
basic needs of the situation with
which Maj. Barrett is confronted.
He told the Commissioners Maj.
Barrett concurred with the changes.
Maj. Barrett proposed establish
ment Of the reserve corps following
an October conference in the Penta-
gon with officials of the ONCE OF
Civil Defense Planning. After news
Of the proposal leaked out, the Civil
Defense Planning Office made
comprehensive report to Secretary
Of Defense Forrestal containing de-
tailed recommendations for organ
izing the Nation for defense against
modern warfare. The recommen-
dations included establishment of
civilian police reserves, but said to
what extent they should be organ
lied was a matter for local deter
mination.
The new police reserve corps will
nave llCtle resemblance TO the aux
iliary policemen used in World War
II. The latter received no training
in use of weapons, had no status
within the Police Department and
members served only as assistants:
to members of the regular police
force.
Soon after today's action by the
Commissioners, Maj. Barrett an
nounced that applications for the
police reserve will be received at
once by Inspector Walter Storm
who has been designated as trsia&
| ing officer.
There has been no decision as to
(See POLICE, Page A-6.)