Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-20

greater range OF movement anu
far more political influence than
the poverty stricken local police.
This was the period when de-
mands came for a national police
force which would take over the
Job of the local police.
Mr.. Hoover believed the an
swer to the crime problem lay in
taking police work out of politics,
and in giving all policemen
scientific training in law enforce,
ment.
Little Training
At that time most rookie po-
licemen were given a badge and
a gun and told to go to work. Few
cities had any kind of training
program for police officers, anc
generally there was an attitude
that none was needed.
One chief of police command
ing a force of more than 100
men dismissed the idea OF
scientific police training with
the curious comment:
all that a policeman need know
tis) the Ten Commandments"
Time after time. Mr.. Hoover
argued - in letters. speeches,
articles, and memoranda-that
the basic responsibility for law
enforcement in a democracy
rested with the local police and
should remain there. In let
ter to the Topeka Daily Capital,
Mr.. Hoover said in 1886:
1.-THE Federal Bureau of In
vestigation believes that the
secret of crime eradication lies
not in a national police force
but in solidarity and the COM
bined linking of all law enforce
ment agencies. 1t believes in a
close-knit cooperation. each
unit capable of handling its
peculiar problems but capable
also, when necessary. Of mo-
bilizing its efforts in a con-
certed drive against the criminal
element of this country. -"
Conference Call
Mr.. Hoover discussed his ideas
with Attorney General Homer
Cummings, and together they
carried a proposal for a police
training school before the At
torney Generals Crime Confer
ence, which met in December,
1894.
Mr.. Hoover told the confer
ence:
The value of adequate train
ing has already been proven in
the training schools maintained
by our bureau for its personnel.
With but slight readjust-
ment of operations. these train
ing facilities already established
could be extended to the local
law enforcement agencies of the
country"
The conference recommended
that the school be established.
and on July 30, 1885, the first
class of % police officers gathered
for IL weeks of study. This was
the beginning of the FBI's now
famous National Academy which
was Mr.. Hoover's answer to de-
mands for a national police force.
In its first 81 years. the acad-
envy gave instruction to more
than 5000 law enforcement off,
GERS. Out of this number. more
than % per cent climbed to posi-
lions as executive heads of their
departments with such titles as
chief of police, sheriff, and State
police chief.
knowledge Goes Home
The number of graduates is
small when compared with the
total number of police officers in
the United States-some $50 900
But each graduate has left the
academy qualified to organize po-
lice schools in his home town and
to share the knowledge he has
gained with the other members
of his force.
Two 12-week sessions are held
each year-sessions in which
some 80 students attend classes
from 8 to 5. five days a week
After-dinner hours are taken up
with the tipping of notes and
study.
It's a hard, grinding period in
which no outside interests are
allowed to interfere with work.
The only excuses accepted for
missing class are sickness. ill
ness in the family or complying
with court subpoena.
Experience Counts
The academy's regular in
structors are experienced and
well-trained FBI teachers. Other
FBI special agents are available