Much ordinary police duty has, however, been performed during the year by the sanitary detail, which appears on the lieutenants, morning reports: Number of nuisances reported at central office. Number of nuisances abated.. 5, 359 5,351 8 452 $1,693 75 34 12 447 The board would suggest that a more rigid and comprehensive code of sanitary laws be enacted for this District. Here we have the capitol of our nation visited by persons not only from all portions of our country, but by representatives from all the civilized nations of the earth. Here also reside the diplomatic representatives of foreign countries, as well as the chief executive, legislative, and judicial officers of our own government. These circumstances would seem to demand of the government efficient sanitary laws, and a well appointed and adequate police force to protect all the interests here assembled. DETECTIVE DEPARTMENT. While the primary object of a police force is and should be to prevent crime, it has been found impracticable, in any city, to arrange a police system which is adequate, under the best and most efficient organization, to render crime so difficult of perpetration that there will not be classes who prey upon the property of others as a profession. For these reasons it has been found necessary to set apart a class of police officers known as detectives, whose special duty it is to ferret out the crimes and their perpetrators. This board is authorized by law to appoint six detectives, but during the greater portion of the past year they have had but four in their employ. The amount of work performed by the four officers is as follows, viz: Number of robberies reported... Number of arrests made.... Amount of property lost or stolen.. Amount of property recovered..... 791 610 $145,737 S0 38, 662 45 Amount of property turned over to property clerk Amount of property turned over to owners. Amount of property taken from prisoners and returned to the same. 17,015 48 21, 646 97 3,077 15 Besides the above, a large amount of labor has been performed by these officers of which no record could be made, such as watching suspected persons, obtaining valuable information, &c. MAGISTRATES' courts. This board cannot urge too strongly the necessity of a thorough and fundamental reorganization of petty courts of the District. The present system is open to the most flagrant abuses. In too many instances persons devoid of character, intelligence, or responsibility obtain commissions as justices of the peace, open offices, and commence the transaction of business in a manner which is a simple mockery of justice and disgraceful to the community. There are, however, some honorable exceptions, where commissions are held by high-minded, intelligent, and honorable men. But the system in vogue is open to the abuses named. On the score of economy also this reform is demanded. A properly organized police court could dispose of all cases of a minor character which are sent up to the supreme court of the District, where their prosecution entails upon the United States a heavy bill of costs and fees, ne rly all of which could 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. *8. 10. Lieutenants. Detectives Sanitary.. Total. be avoided by a police court. Besides, under the present system, trials of petty offences are delayed sometimes for months, and until the witnesses in the case have left the city, or, having ceased to feel any interest in the case, it is abandoned. Certainly a more speedy trial should follow the commission of crimes of a minor grade. THE FIRE ALARM AND POLICE TELEGRAPH. This valuable auxiliary to the police operations of the District has been in successful operation during the year past. Each succeeding year demonstrates more satisfactorily its utility and efficiency as a police agent. There have been sent over the wires through the central office during the year 11,749 police telegrams; and besides these probably fully as many more have been transmitted between stations of which no record was made at the central office. During the last session of Congress an appropriation of $15,000 was made to pay the constructor of this telegraph the portion the board had agreed to pay. The city of Washington has already paid an equal sum. The board is happy to report that this long-standing claim has been liquidated, and that the police portion of the telegraph is now the property of the United States. DISCIPLINE OF THE Force. In the enforcement of a proper state of discipline and efficiency on the part of the force the board has, upon charges being preferred and trials accorded, dismissed thirty-three members from the force, reprimanded eight, fined twelve, dismissed complaints against sixty-four, and has dropped one from the roll. At the present time the discipline and efficiency of the members of the force is quite satisfactory. The officers and privates seem to manifest a commendable degree of esprit du corps in their general bearing and in the manner of performing their duties. For a more detailed account of the past year's operations of the police force of the District you are respectfully referred to the statistical and tabular statement submitted herewith. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. H. NICHOLS, President. * During the year the first and eighth precincts were consolidated. The table shows the disposition of the force at the present time. Total. 2 No. 4.-Table showing the ages of the males arrested classified. Precincts. From 10 to 20. From 20 to 30. From 30 to 40. 40 and over. Total. |