Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-03-04
Police Reserve
Falls Far Short
Of Plans Here
Only 1902 Belong
To Movement for
Emergency Use
BY J. Theodore Grown


The Metropolitan Police Re-
serve Corps movement, which be-
gan with a flourish more than
four years ago, is staggering for
want of nourishment.
It was the intent of the Com
missioners, when they estab-
lished the reserve in November,
1913, to enroll a force of 1000
men and women capable of cop-
ing with disasters such as bomb
ingS.
Incentives Lacking.
But today there are only 1902
members, 100 of them women,
and the incentives to gain more
volunteers are sadly lacking.
Not only are the patriotic men
and women serving without pay,
as was expected in the original
order, but they receive neither
equipment, badge nor Red Gross
first aid manual from the Dis
trict. The latter booklet costs
so cents.
More discouraging to the re-
servists is the failure to give
them on-the-street training as
had been planned. This involves
work with regular policemen in
the making of actual arrests.
The Commissioners have ruled
out such activity until reservists
sign waivers releasing the Gov
eminent from any responsibility
in case of injury.
Waiver Action Held Up.
Many reservists, anxious for
this kind of training, have agreed
to sign waivers. But this is being
held up while the Corporation
CounselS Office studies a waiver
form submitted by Inspector
Lorraine T. Johnson, the Metro
politan policeman who heads the
corps.
During December and jan
uary, when crime was running
higher than usual, there was
talk of enliSting 400 or 500 re-
serve corps members to patrol
the streets on a voluntary basis,
rather than to have regular po-
licemen do extra duty. But the
waiver rule killed this possibility.
The problem of giving mem
bers and their families protec.
ton in event of injury also has
plagued leaders. Several bills in
former sessions of Congress
have failed to pass. Some men,
bers are willing to buy their own
insurance protection, and insur-
ance companies have offered to
cover the entire group for IS
a year per person.
Other appropriation bills have
failed to obtain equipment and
badges.
Two 507watt radio stations for
emergency use have been made
available to the corps by the
civilian defense program, but the
District has not formally &C
cepted them.
Some use for about 500 corps
men was found last Halloween.
Stationed at fire alarm boxes
throughout the District, they
helped hold false alarms to a
minimum. But they were UNI
der instructions not to make
arrests.
Most Active Groups.
Most active of the reserve
groups are in the ninth and 14th
precincts, where weekly meetings
feature civilian defense films. In
the sixth precinct the members
are forming a Reserve Corps Po-
lice Club, mainly for pistol prac-
tice. Some other groups find it
necessary to practice shooting as
guests of pistol clubs.
A shortage in recruits necessi-
tated a broadening of the orig
inal order to permit enlistment
of men and women outside the
District.
Inspector johnson also is try
ing to interest more building
guards and Washington Termi-
nal police to join in the fire
guard and bomb recognizance
training.
Thus far the 1902 men and
women Of the corps have re-
ceived "a hours Of first aid and
40 hours Of police training.