Year: 1879

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OFF1oE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE,


ST.. PAUL, April 80, 1879.
To the Honorable the Mayor and Common
Councils:
GENTLEMEN: herewith respectfully sub
NIT for your consideration my annual report
of the work of the police force for the year
past closing April 80, 1879, from the records
kept during the past twelve months, of the
operation of the department.; statement
will be found appended grouping the num-
ber of arrests and the causes for which they
were made, under different heads. furnish
ing the sex, nativity, occupation and other
interesting information concerning those
with whom the force find it necessary to
deal.


THE DRILL.


The department has been regularly
drilled during the year in the manual of arms
and in the maneuvres of military parade. A
satisfactory proficiency has been acquired in
these drills, which is most essential to a we'll
regulated police system; considerable pains
have been taken in this regard aud it is be-
lieved the present excellent condition of the
force is due, in part, to the discipline received
from frequent and thorough drills, which
inculcate prompt obedience and other quail
ties which policeman should possess.
THE WORK HOUSE.


I would especially call your attention to
the aid which the force received from this
institution in dealing with class of vagrants
which for time swarmed within the city
. borders, the imposing of severe labor SEN
tence, tramps and law. breakers, who have
been arrested by the police, has resulted in
driving them out of the city to a great de-
gree, and EFFORTS a healthful influence upon
others to whom labor is most disagreeable.
A sufficient number of the force are regu-
larly detailed to guard prisoners who have
been sentenced to labor on the stone-pile,
and to see that the work imposed is per-
formed. Instead of the city being overrun
with vagrants, it is now comparatively free
from them and the acts of lawlessness Incl
dent to their presence; all of. which 1 believe
is due, in the main, to the enforcement of
hard work upon those who have heretofore
been treated leniently and we'll fed. The
figures subjoined indicate what has been
done by the force in the way of arresting va
grants, and an examination of the books for
each month will show very decided falling
off after the Inauguration of the policy COM
mitting them to labor in the work house.


MORE CELL ROOM.


Your attention is also urgently requested
to the need of better cell facilities at the
City Hall. The present arrangements have
been entirely inadequate, especially during
the winter months, for the care of pris-
oners. ~


The cells are not only too few in number,
but are insecure, affording but little protec-
ton against the escape of those placed therein
unless carefully watched by the jallor. Very
frequently it is that three and four, or even
more, have had to be locked up in one cell
when to secure the ends of justice it was
necessary that all communication with others
should be prevented. The present cells are
badly ventilated, and the need of some i'm
provements only awaits an examination o.
the premises to be plainly observed. 1t hal
not been infrequent, during the past few
months, that all of the cells have beer
crowded and that the entire space in from
and around occupied with those who shav
been arrested.


The members of the department full
realize the responsibility placed upon then
in their guardianship of life and property
and have earnestly labored to bring tn
police force of St. Paul up to degree o
0uC10uCy COIum6uSuIGto WILL tAO AAAHOAt@hS
of their trust


The freedom from the commission of crime
during the past year, and the quiet, orderl..
appearance of the city, they are satisfied
will testify to their vigilance. The force to
day is in an excellent condition, and believ
will compare with any for strict attention t
duty and general efficiency. The men az
intelligent and capable, the rules of th
department have been strictly enforced, an
a rigid state of discipline maintained. This
all has been done that could be reasonabl
expected in affording protection to the cit
zens of st. Paul, with the number employed
do not believe will be questioned.


would thank you, gentlemen, for YET
hearty cooperation with the force; and
would also return sincere thanks to Cap
Clark, Sergeant Welsh, Detective Breset
and all the men on the force, for their cour
esy, kindness and energy.


Respectfully Submitted,


CHARLES WEBER,


Chief of Police.


pnEsENr ORGANIZATION OF THE POLICE FORCE