History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I, Part 44

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Detroit, Pub. by S. Farmer & co., for Munsell & co., New York
Number of Pages: 1094

USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Detroit > History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I > Part 44

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During the same month this notice was published by order of the City Watch :

Resolved, that the thanks of this company be tendered to Mrs :. F. Buhl and Mrs. J. L. King for sumptuous refreshments fur- nished this company on the nights of the 3d and 18th inst.

Resolved, in consideration of the fact that most of those con- nected with the City Watch at its organization, owning property in the city, -they, of all others, most interested in its welfare,- have, since the weather became cold and disagreeable, almost without exception, withdrawn from the watch ; therefore

Resolved, that we, as members of Company B of the volunteer watch, owning little or no property in the city, do hereby agree upon the adjournment of this meeting to disband as a company, and withdraw as individuals from the City Watch, for reasons set forth in the foregoing resolution.

In November, 1845, the following item appeared :

We learn an effort is being made to revive the volunteer night- watch, but the active co-operation of those most interested in the security of the city will be indispensable. The want of this led to the abandonment of the former watch. Since then burglaries, night robberies, and thefts have again become frequent.

This appeal was successful, and the new watch lasted till October, 1846, when the council thanked them, and dispensed with their services.

Three years later, on September 2, 1849, the great number of disorderly persons present in the city again caused the organization of a volunteer watch. The captains for the evenings of each day were as follows : Sunday, John B. Long ; Monday, G. Mott Williams; Tuesday, Marshall J. Bacon ; Wednes- day, Colonel A. S. Williams; Thursday, Kin S. Dygert ; Friday, Alderman Duncan ; Saturday, Geo. W. Pattison. Like its numerous predecessors, this watch soon disbanded, and in the spring of 1851 a paid night-watch, under the control of the city, was temporarily provided.

The question of creating a permanent and salaried city watch was fully discussed in 1854, and on July 3, at a citizens' meeting, a committee of aldermen reported the following as the probable yearly cost : Twenty-four watchmen, at ten shillings per day, $10,950; one captain, $1,000; two assistant cap- tains, at twelve shillings per day, $1,095; contin- gencies, $1,955. Total, $15,000.

The estimated expense alarmed the tax-payers, and the meeting voted it inexpedient to organize the watch. The next effort, inaugurated on January 24.

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POLICE.

1859, by R. H. Wright, was purely of a private and personal character, and resulted in the formation of the Merchants' Police, a force consisting of five men, who patrolled certain business blocks and acted as night-watchmen; their services were paid' for by regular subscriptions from the merchants whose premises were protected. This force was continued about six months.

An attempt was next made to organize a Police Commission, under a charter amendment of March 12, 1861, which provided that the mayor and two other persons, to be selected by the council, should constitute a Board of Police Commissioners. The chief of police was to be appointed by the council on nomination by the board, and the council were to appoint temporary policemen, for forty-eight hours when necessary; the aldermen were also invested with the powers of policemen.

These provisions, which were only partially car- ried into effect, were substantially re-enacted on February 4, 1864, when the powers and duties of the board were defined at length. Neither of these amendments seemed to meet the necessities of the case or the wishes of the citizens. They served a good purpose as preliminary efforts, but practically had only the value of suggestions.

The demoralization naturally growing out of the protracted war with the South, and the fact that some of the constables, elected from time to time by popular suffrage, needed themselves to be watched, caused the want of a regular and responsible police force to be increasingly realized.

Under the Act of March 12, 1861, C. H. Buhl and Alexander Chapoton had been associated with the mayor as police commissioners. They resigned, and on August 5, 1862, William Barclay and C. W. Jackson were appointed. Mr. Barclay soon resigned, and E. V. Cicotte was appointed in his place. Early in 1863 Mr. Cicotte was succeeded by E. A. Brush, and the board, in 1864, consisted of C. W. Jackson, E. A. Brush, and the mayor. During these years the question of a more thorough police system was repeatedly brought before the council. On February 10, 1863, two reports were submitted, one in favor of, and one opposed to, the organization of a salaried force. One of the reports stated that " within the last three months almost every crime in the catalogue of crimes has been committed in Detroit."

The following estimate of the expense of main- taining a police force was submitted: Chief of police, $1,000; assistant police, $800; turnkey, $600 ; twenty-two policemen, at $1.50 per day, $12,445; lock-up, office expenses, etc., $2,000. Total. $16,445.

By this time the " Ides of March " were at hand, and the riot of March 6, 1863, with its brutal attacks upon the colored people, the killing of sev-

eral, and the burning of their houses, helped many citizens to the decision that a system such as we now have was a necessity ; and on March 17 the Board of Police Commissioners, by resolution of Alderman Purcell, were requested to report a plan of organiza- tion for a paid police force as soon as possible. Nothing was done, however, until August 5, when an anticipated draft, and the almost constant fear of a rebel raid from Canada, caused the council to establish a temporary police of twenty-five men, who were continued only about a week. The almost daily evidence of the city's needs kept up interest in the police question ; and in April, 1864, the council requested the comptroller to report an estimate for a police force, to consist of a chief, one clerk, two captains, and forty men ; and also the cost of an appropriate station-house. Finally, and largely through the efforts of Alderman J. J. Bagley, on February 28, 1865, the Legislature passed an Act establishing the Metropolitan Police Commission, to consist of four persons.

The commission is noticeable as being the only branch of city government over which the city has no direct control, the commissioners being appointed by the governor, with the approval of the Senate, for terms of four years. In theory they are State officers, and in practice, city officials. They are accountable to the governor, and to the State through him, for all their official acts. The gener- ally faithful execution of the laws, and the keeping of the force out of local politics, have repeatedly demonstrated the advantage and wisdom of the system. The first meeting of the commission under the Act was held on March 9, 1865. The force was duly organized on May 15 following.

The Act, at first, met with great opposition from the city marshal, constables, and deputy sheriffs, whose services were practically dispensed with; mere politicians opposed it because its enforcement would leave fewer places to be disposed of as the reward of political services; and conservative old citizens opposed it because it involved increased taxation. When the commission first organized, they necessarily sought the advice and co-operation of the council; but the council seemed indisposed to countenance, in any way, the action of the board, and their communications were invariably tabled.

On May 30, 1865, by vote of twelve to four, the council passed resolutions disapproving of the Act, but recommending that its provisions be obeyed until its constitutionality could be passed upon ; that was called in question on the ground that the city was compelled to pay for the support of officers over whom it had no direct control. On October 16, 1865, the Supreme Court decided that the Act was constitutional ; and as the years have passed, the best citizens of all parties have conceded its

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usefulness, and take increasing pride in the organi- zation and its management. Since the passage of the original Act, three additional Acts pertaining to the board have been passed.

An Act of March 9, 1867, defined in greater detail the powers of the board, gave increased power in some particulars, and authorized the detail of police- men to perform the duties of the sealer of weights and measures, and to collect license fees for the city ; it also gave the board power to suppress gambling, to sell unclaimed property after keeping it six months, and to provide food and lodging, if neces- sary, for persons arrested.

A further Act of April 15, 1871, remedied some technical defects of the previous law, and legalized such portion of the acts of the Board of Police Com- missioners as had been illegally performed.

The commissioners receive no compensation. Regular meetings are held on the last secular day of each month, at three o'clock in the afternoon. Their duties are : to preserve the public peace ; to prevent crime ; to arrest offenders ; to protect the rights of persons and property; to guard the public health ; to preserve order; to remove nuisances existing in public streets, yards, and outhouses; to report to the proper authorities all leaks and defects in water-pipes and sewers; to provide a sufficient force at every public fire, in order that the firemen may be protected in the performance of their duties, and the property preserved to its owners; and to protect strangers and travelers at steamboat and ship landings and railroad stations; they may also serve warrants in any part of the State, and are required generally to enforce and carry out all ordinances of the city and laws of the State.

The following is a list of the commissioners :

J. S. Farrand, from February 28, 1865, to Febru- ary I, 1873; L. M. Mason, from February 28, 1865, to July 12, 1869 ; J. J. Bagley, from February 28, 1865, to August 24, 1872 ; Alexander Lewis, from February 28, 1865, to February 1, 1875 ; C. M. Gar- rison, from February 1, 1875, to December 9, 1876; J. E. Pittman, from February 1, 1873, to May 1, 1885; S. D. Miller, from July 12, 1869; M. S. Smith, from August 24, 1872 ; H. M. Dean, from De- cember 9, 1876; W. C. Colburn, from May 1, 1885.

Upon the organization of the commission, in 1865, Frank G. Russell was appointed secretary. He resigned on April 24, 1866, and on May 16 James S. Booth was appointed. His failing health necessi- tated his resignation on October 13, 1873, and five days later Lincoln R. Meserve was appointed his successor. Theodore A. Drake was the first super- intendent of police. He resigned September 30, 1865, leaving Captain M. V. Borgman as acting superintendent ; and on August/1, 1866, he was appointed superintendent. On December 2, 1873, he

resigned, and Stephen K. Stanton was appointed, with Captain Andrew J. Rogers as deputy. On March 25, 1876, Rogers was appointed superintend- ent. He resigned January 31, 1882. and on April 24 was succeeded by E. F. Conely, who resigned and was succeeded on May 1, 1885, by James E. Pittman. The office of deputy superintendent was provided for by law of 1887, and on June 29, 1887. M. V. Borgman was appointed to the position. On March 1, 1867, the office of surgeon was created. Dr. D. O. Farrand was the first appointee. His suc- cessor, Dr. J. B. Book, was appointed in June, 1883. The office of attorney of the board was created April 1, 1867. J. Logan Chipman filled the position to May 1, 1879, when he was succeeded by W. A. Moore.

The names of the captains and the dates of their appointment are as follows : P. N. Girardin, October 25, 1865, died December 31, 1882 ; C. C. Stark- weather, December 31, 1873 ; W. H. Myler, June 30. 1875; Joseph Burger, September 30, 1882 ; Jesse Mack, June 11, 1883.

The officers of the police force rank in the fol- lowing order : superintendent, captains, sergeants, roundsmen, patrolmen, doormen.

A regular system of promotion is adhered to; vacancies occurring in the office of captains must be filled from the sergeants, and vacancies in sergean- cies from the regular force.

The original law provided that the superintendent should receive no more than $2,000 yearly ; the cap- tains not over $1,200; the sergeants not more than $1,000; and the regular patrolmen not to exceed $900 per year.

A law of March 14, 1882, gave the commissioners power to determine the salaries, and from February 1, 1882, the salary of the superintendent has been $4,000. The salaries of other members of the force are as follows : captains, $1,200 ; sergeants, $900 ; patrolmen, $750. Out of these salaries the men pay for their uniforms, which cost from seventy-five to one hundred dollars each.

Each member of the police force must be able to read and write the English language ; must be a citizen of the State of Michigan, and a resident of the city for the two years next preceding his appoint- ment. He must not be over forty years of age, nor under twenty-one; and must possess good health and a sound body, be of steady habits and of good moral character, and must never have been con- victed of crime.

Each member of the force is required to devote his whole time and attention to the business of the department, and he is expressly prohibited from being employed in any other business. He must be civil and orderly; must at all times refrain from violence, coarse, profane, and insolent language,

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and, while on duty, is not allowed to drink any kind . becomes evident that the commissioners have been of liquor, nor smoke, nor (except in the immediate remarkably fortunate in their selection of men. performance of duty) enter any place in which The force is in two general divisions, one for day, the other for night duty. intoxicating drinks of any kind are sold or furnished. Policemen are also prohibited from receiving or The day force is on duty for eleven hours, the night force for eight hours. About two thirds of the force are usually on night duty, and the men are changed from night to day duty in alternate months as far as practicable. By a complete system of card registries, the superintendent can tell at any hour of the day or night in just what locality each mem- ber of the force is stationed. sharing, for their own benefit, in any fee, gift, or emolument for police service, other than the regular salary, except by unanimous consent of the commis- sioners ; they are not allowed to belong to any fire or military company, or to go on target or pleasure excursions, except by order of the superintendent ; they are also-required, while on duty, to avoid all religious or political discussions, and all inter- ference, or use of their influence as officers, in elec- tions ; they are not allowed to solicit, nor can they be obliged to contribute anything for political pur- poses ; they are required to keep careful supervision of all disorderly houses, or houses of evil repute, within their beats, to observe by whom they are fre- quented, and to report their observations to the commanding officer.

Patrolmen are forbidden to walk together, or to talk with each other, or with any person, while on duty, unless it is to communicate briefly information appertaining to their business. Sergeants and patrolmen, when on duty, are required to display their badges, so that the entire surface of the same may be easily and distinctly seen. The following official suggestions to policemen indicate interesting and important details of their duties :

As a peace-officer, his first duty should be to set a good example by being good-humored and polite while on duty. As a sentinel, he should always be wary and vigilant, for although there seems to be no immediate necessity for watchfulness, there is no know- ing when an emergency will suddenly arise in a great city.

Restraint by authority is never popular neither to children nor men. Authority is, therefore, to be exercised with coolness, and by always keeping the temper. Men offend in trivial matters as much from carelessness and negligence as from design. Caution- ary words are sometimes more valuable than arrests. Diplomacy is oftentimes as great a weapon to the policeman, in his inter- course with his fellow-citizens, and in dealing with abuses, as it is to the general or statesman.

Among all the trite sayings of the world, there is none more useful for the policeman to remember than this, " An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

The public man who quells any trouble in its inception is as much worthy of remembrance as one who redresses an evil of already increasing magnitude.

Every good citizen will say " Amen " to these sug- gestions, and the more closely they are attended to, the greater will be the respect paid to the force, and the more agreeable to fearful and restless citizens will be the thud of the policeman's club. The criminal classes respect the badge and the club, but good citizens honor the guardian of their homes, and gladly recognize his worth.

Complaints are sometimes made that members of the force are needlessly officious or severe ; but when the total number of the force, and the variety of annoying business attended to, is considered, it

In 1868 a sergeant and ten policemen were de- tailed for the purpose, and a complete census of the city taken in ten days. On October 9, 1871, at a special meeting of the council, called on account of the prevailing dry weather and the consequent great danger from fire, the police commissioners were requested to temporarily appoint three hundred extra policemen, the council appropriating $5,000 to pay for their services. A large number of extra police were accordingly sworn in, and about half of the appropriation used. In 1886 thirty-nine special patrolmen, appointed without expense to the city, were on duty at the post-office, depots, theaters, large manufacturing establishments, etc. They report at headquarters between the Ist and the 7th of each month. Some portion of the regular force is always employed in special duties.

The sanitary squad, consisting of eight men, under control of a sergeant, attends to the enforcement of all laws and ordinances relating to the public health, and also collects the State liquor tax.

Under Act of April 17, 1871, scavengers were authorized to be appointed by the Police Depart- ment. By charter amendment of 1879 an inspector of slaughter-houses and meats is appointed by the commissioners ; and since June 1, 1881, a patrolman has been detailed to catch and destroy unlicensed dogs. Since 1867 a policeman has acted as inspector of the weights and measures used in the city.

One policeman is detailed to look specially after juvenile offenders, and acts in conjunction with the county agent of the State Board of Charities and Corrections. The county agent examines all children under sixteen charged with crime, and decides what disposition of them will probably best serve their interests and those of the community. his decision being made the basis of the court decis- ions in all such complaints. From 1875 to 1887 Bradford Smith served as county agent, and during his term he passed upon the cases of over one thou- sand children. Of these, many were sent to the Reform School, and others to the State School at Coldwater ; the larger number have remained in De- troit, under surveillance, and are obliged to report

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from time to time. The amount of good resulting from his efforts is almost incalculable. There can be no question that his philanthropic work has pre- vented hundreds of boys from becoming hardened criminals. He was succeeded in 1887 by John Hosmer.

Since February, 1872, the harbor-master, ap- pointed by the Common Council, has been a police- . man.

Originally persons wishing the services of police- men for special occasions could obtain them on application to the superintendent, for a stipulated sum : this system no longer prevails.

In 1873 provision was made for two mounted policemen, to do duty in the outskirts of the city ; two were also mounted in 1874; and in 1875 the number was increased to five; but as their service did not prove worth its cost, it was gradually dis- pensed with, and the last horse was sold in, Novem -. ber, 1876.

From the organization of the force to 1873, the licenses charged by the city for various kinds of business were collected by a policeman ; since that year they have been payable at the office of the secretary of the commission. The fiscal year of the commission formerly began on April 1 ; since 1873 it has commenced on the Ist of February.

The following table gives interesting details as to growth of the force, the work performed, and the expense of its maintenance :

Superintendent.

Captains.

Sergeants.

Detectives.

Roundsmen.

Doormen.

Patrolmen.

Janitors and

Total of Force

Yearly Ex-

penses.

Yearly Arrests.

Lodgings fur-

nished.

Receipts from

Licenses.

First occupied.

Gratiot Avenue, N. E. cor. of Russell Street

$5,500

$10,670

Aug. 14, 1873

Trumbull Avenue, S. E. cor. of Michigan Avenue.

3,375

8,549

Aug. 14, 1873

Central, Woodbridge Street, near Woodward Avenue

17,400

Jan. 1, 1874

*Elmwood Ave., east side, between Fort and Lafay- ette Streets.

3,180

2,436

July 27, 1877

*Twentieth Street, east side, between Michigan Ave. and M. C. R. R.

1,000

3,099

Dec. 24, 1877

*Fremont Street, north side, near Woodward Avenue *Grand River Ave., N. E. cor. of Twelfth Street

1,600

2,300

Sept. 15, 1879

1880

3 10

9 14 134

178

127 239

4,284

8,810

8,176

1881

3 IO

9 1 + 146

185

136.945

4,610

5,945

15,212

1882

3 10

1 13.12 153

194

152,192

5,148

2,840

$3,055

1886

4 II

1 20 13 215

267

242,911

8,187

2,208

II 529

53, 181

3,865

2,359

5.220

1868

65,303

3.619

2,369

5,359

1869

68,643

3,335

2,648

4, 112

1870

79,367

3,929

2,716

4,534

1872

100

76,450

3.839

2,418

4,419

1873

121

80,503

4,861

4,2 9

6,224

1874

144

111,395

4.935

7,553

7,161

1875

[2]

151

119,753

4.100

8,737

7,027

1876

126

158

126,006

4,657

8,139

9,728

1878

131

165

123,279

4,332

8,744

9,094

1879

128

160

123.454

3.924 11 , 09 )

9,599

1,35I

2,723

Aug. 2, 1880

*Woodbridge St., north side, near Twenty-fourth St

1,501

3,000

Aug. 10, 1881

Fremont St , between Chene St. and Jos. Campau Ave

1,800

9,000

Jan. 2, 1888

As every person arrested is lodged on an average three nights, the number of different individuals actually provided with lodgings would be about one third as many as are given in above table.

A comparison of the number of arrests with the population in the years 1870 and 1880 shows that the percentage of arrests has decreased from five to less than four per cent in the last decade. This fact and the general good order prevailing in the city

GRATIOT AVENUE POLICE STATION.

gives substantial foundation for the belief that there is less of crime in Detroit than in any other city of the same size in the Union. As many persons are arrested several times in the course of a year, the number of individuals arrested is only about half of the total arrests reported.

In the table the column of yearly expenses in- cludes only the ordinary expenses of the force, not the cost of the land and buildings for police sta- tions. Their cost is shown in the following state- ment :

LOCATION OF STATION.

Cost of Lot.

Cost of Building.

1865

$38,663

3,056

445

$5, 182

1866

58, 150

4,096

1,201

4,568

1867

1871

126

155

126,598

3,879

8,022

8,955

1877

I I 2 I 1 HHNHH

69,193

3,577

2.734

5,096

*Sub-station. Sub-stations are uniform in their style of building

During the first two years of the existence of the board the Central Station and public offices were in the Hawley Block, on the northwest corner of Wood- bridge and Bates Streets. The lock-up was in the old City Hall. On January 1, 1867, the Wood- bridge Street or Central Station was occupied for the first time. It was built for, and at first rented by

Year

Hostlers.

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POLICE.

the commission. In 1872 it was purchased by the board. The following year it was enlarged, refitted, a morgue provided, and it was occupied in January, 1874. In 1886 it was again rebuilt at a cost of about $12,000.

TRUMBULL AVENUE POLICE STATION.

On the completion of the new City Hall, in 1871, offices were set apart for the police. From Octo- ber, 1872, to 1874, a portion of the basement was also occupied as a lock-up.

During 1873 the stations and office were for the first time telegraphically connected.

In 1883 the city gave the commissioners East Park, bounded by Farmer, Randolph, and Bates Streets, and during 1883 and 1884 a building for police headquarters was erected thereon at a cost of $55,000.

During 1885 the telegraph and patrol wagon service was put in operation. It consists of forty- one signal boxes, with connecting wires erected at convenient points throughout the city, and by means of a system of alarms the police can be summoned

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History of Detroit and Wayne County and early Michigan: A Chronological Cyclopedia of the Past and Present, Vol. I, Part 44

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902 Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Detroit, Pub. by S. Farmer & co., for Munsell & co., New York Number of Pages: 1094

Author: Farmer, Silas, 1839-1902
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Detroit, Pub. by S. Farmer & co., for Munsell & co., New York
Number of Pages: 1094