Under the provisions of the Metropolitan police manual, the captain and lieutenants are considered on duty at all times, but the actual hours of duty for a precinct commander are from 8 a. m. to 7 p. m., and those of his second in command from 7 p. m. until 8 o'clock a. m. These officers are, however, subject to call at any time, and precinct commanders are necessarily required to return to their precinct on many occasions at late hours of the night in cases of large fires or other unusual emergencies, as well as upon the commission of any serious crime in their precinct. As concerns sergeants, attention is invited to the fact that this is the first step in promotion which leads to the higher and more important grades. The sergeants are the more immediate supervising officers, it being their duty to maintain a constant patrol of their respective precincts while on duty, to exercise strict supervision of the privates of their respective platoons, to instruct the privates concerning the laws and regulations and the provisions of the police manual, and to report to their commanding officers derelictions of duty or any unusual conditions found to exist. It has been and should continue to be the effort of the department to select only the most trustworthy men obtainable for this important office. It has been well said that a police sergeant is the eye of his precinct commander. PRIVATES The private is the officer who comes most directly in contact with the public. His duties are arduous and often unpleasant. It is obvious that the entrance salary should be sufficient to attract young men of high character, who will enter the service with the object in view of making for themselves a career, and it is equally obvious that the maximum salary provided for privates after the lapse of a period of years should be sufficient to constitute an ever present incentive to the young officer to conduct himself in such a manner as to compel the respect of the public and to warrant the full confidence of his superiors to the end that he may attain the maximum salary grade provided for that rank. That being accepted as a fundamental, it naturally follows that the salaries provided for officers of the higher ranks should be scientifically graded so as to constitute a sure incentive to all members of the force to strive for promotion and those higher grades. The fact should be recognized that the public to-day demands more of its policemen than it demanded in years past; that while courage is still essential, a police officer must also possess tact, judgment, and a knowledge of human kind; his intelligence, indeed, must be above that of the average man. The fact should be recognized that the man engaged in the difficult task of regulating the conduct of other human beings must possess personal qualities of a high order; they must have a strict sense of their duty to the public and to the department, in addition to which they must possess both physical and moral courage in a high degree. The duties of a police officer demand quick and accurate judgment. The police officer should possess such intelligence and education as will enable him to comprehend the laws and regulations and the elements that go to constitute violations of such laws and regulations. They must be able to define their legal rights and to define clearly to themselves and to others the legal limitation of the power and authority conferred upon them, and they must above all have a clear and wholesome conception of the constitutional rights of the citizens. The police officer must be prepared at a moment's notice to act as judge and jury in emergencies that are constantly arising in the course of his work. Mediocre men can be used in many business lines and in many municipal departments where specific tasks are easily defined and their accomplishment easily assured, but in police work, where personal judgment and initiative play so large a part in dealing with the multitude of general conditions with which the rank and file of a well-regulated police department come in contact and with the numerous and complex conditions of as wide a variety as is the whole gamut of human relations, the mediocre man will not do. The following tables show: (a) Table No. 1. Salary paid prior to act of December 5, 1919, subsequent legislative increases, and salary proposed by H. R. 5713 and S. 2370. (b) Table No. 2. Salaries paid officers and sergeants of police in 22 cities named in said table. (c) Table No. 3. Salaries paid to privates of police departments in the 22 cities listed in saic table, being the same cities as listed in Table No. 2. TABLE NO. 1.-Salaries paid to officers and members of Metropolitan police force of the District of Columbia 1 Basic salary $1,900 with annual increase of $100 for five years; maximum, $2,400. With the exception of Washington, "head of department" is designation of official working under police commissioner, director of public safety, or board of public safety. There is no such superofficial in the District government, the department head discharging all duties of administration. This also applies to fire department. TABLE No. 3 New York City: Maximum salary of privates recently approved (in election) for $3,000. New entrance salary not available. Former entrance salary, $1,769. 'Boston: Maximum salary increased from $2,000 to $2,100 after 5 years service. Salary changes, if any, in other classes not available. Former salaries were: Entrance, $1,600; after 1 year, $1,700; after 2 years, $1,800. New Orleans: Maximum salary increased from $1,500 to $1,824. Information not available as to changes, Uany, in other classes. Former salaries were: Entrance, $1,350; after 1 year, $1,350; after 2 years, $1,500. SALARIES FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL Chief engineer.-The chief engineer of the fire department commands a personnel numbering 897 and is charged with the protection of life, limb, and property from fire hazards. The department is divided into five major fields of activity, namely, the fire fighting, fire prevention, mechanical maintenance, administrative, and instruction divisions. The chief engineer must keep his department abreast of the times in all phases of its work to the end that proper protection may be afforded the public. In administrative work the chief engineer is the officer responsible for departmental policies, and appropriate management of the service. The department owns property valued at approximately $3,000,000, and expends over $2,000,000 annually. In the fire-fighting work, the chief engineer is not only responsible for efficiency of personnel, equipment, and methods, but also takes physical charge of the force on the scene of all multiple alarms. This involves continuous day and night availability. Fire-prevention activities, carried on by a specializing division, and also by details from units of the fire-fighting force, are supervised by the chief engineer. The scope of these activities, and the application of law and regulation in connection therewith, are controlled and directed by him. The division of apparatus, repair, and mechanical maintenance, functioning under the direct supervision of an official highly trained in mechanical and hydraulie engineering, constitutes part of the chief's responsibilities. Upon this division is imposed the duty of keeping all equipment at the highest possible peak of efficiency. The chief is required to establish appropriate training standards for his subordinates, and to see that the instruction division properly trains the department's personnel. The foregoing are mentioned in order to indicate the diversity and importance of the chief's duties and responsibilities. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 18 now pay the chief of the fire department more than is paid that officer in the District of Columbia-namely, $5,200 per annum. Deputy chief engineers.-The deputy chief engineers (2 in number) in the District of Columbia fire department are the chief fire-fighting assistants to the chief engineer and are responsible to him for their work. One of these officers responds to all multiple alarms received, day or night. The other is assigned to the congested, high value district where the greatest property fire hazards are located. These officers also act as chief engineer in his absence. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 20 pay the deputy chief greater salaries than those received in the District of Columbia, namely, $3,500 per annum. Battalion chief engineers (14 in number).—The entire area of the District of Columbia is divided geographically into six battalions, within which lie the various companies of the fire department. Each of these battalions is commanded by two battalion chiefs, one of whom is on duty at all times. They alternate in day and night duty. These officers are held responsible for the fighting of fire in their respective districts, and also for the necessary administrative work in connection with their duties as immediate supervisors of their various companies. One battalion chief is detailed to act as deputy, and another is assigned to the position of drillmaster in charge of instruction work. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 13 pay their battalion chiefs salaries greater than the rate now paid in the District of Columbia, namely, $3,250 per annum. Superintendent of machinery.-Upon the superintendent of machinery of the fire department devolves the responsibility of keeping the department's apparatus and mechanical equipment in a high state of efficiency; instructing personnel in its care and use; and preparing specifications highly technieal in character for the purchase of all mechanical equipment. This involves not only the necessity for high attainments in hydraulic and mechanical engineering, but also executive and administrative ability of a high order. If the mechanical equipment of the department fails, the department, no matter how efficient its personnel may be, can not function properly. Fire marshal. One of the most important functions of any fire department is fire-prevention work. Great strides have been made along these lines in the past few years, and with the gradual increase in mechanical devices has come an increase in fire hazards. The properly qualified fire marshal at the present time must be alert, progressive, an able executive, and must possess educational qualifications of a high degree and diversified character. Upon his shoulders rests the responsibility for the department's fire-prevention work, and he must possess beyond question the ability not only to meet existing hazards, but to prepare appropriate regulations and apply proper regulatory measures for new hazards as they arise. In connection with sprinkler and standpipe systems for instance, he must be qualified in hydraulic engineering. With regard to oilburning equipment he must possess mechanical engineering skill, and in connection with the proper use and application of fire-resistant materials the qualifications of a combustion engineer are brought into play. Deputy fire marshal.-The deputy fire marshal is the chief assistant to the fire marshal, and must possess high qualifications and long experience in fire-prevention work. Assistant superintendent of machinery. This officer acts as the immediate assistant to the superintendent of machinery in the care and maintenance of apparatus, and the administration of the division of apparatus repair and mechanical maintenance. Captains (46 in number).—Each fire-fighting unit in the department, known as a company, is commanded by a captain. This officer alternates on day and night duty and is in physical charge of one platoon of his company. He is also charged with general administrative responsibility for the entire unit. These officers are responsible for fire-fighting work in their company districts. To qualify for the position requires the successful passing of a civil-service examination and the attainment of appropriate efficiency ratings in the department. One captain is detailed in the administrative division for specialized work, and this officer also responds to all multiple alarms of fire as an aide to the chief engineer. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 15 pay their captains more than the rate now paid in the District of Columbia, namely, $2,500 per annum. Lieutenants (47 in number).—Lieutenants in the department share with captains the responsibility for company administrative and fire-fighting work. On the fire ground their duties are practically identical with those of the captain. The administrative work is substantially similar to that of a captain, but somewhat less in responsibility. In order to qualify for this position officers must pass the usual civil-service examination and attain appropriate efficiency ratings. One lieutenant is detailed as a fire-fighting aide to the chief engineer, and another is assistant to the drillmaster. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 10 pay lieutenants rates higher than those paid in the District of Columbia, namely, $2,350 per annum. Sergeants (51 in number).—The sergeants in the fire department act as relief company commanders to take the place of lieutenants or captains who may be absent by reason of annual or sick leave, day off, details, etc. Due to the fact that these junior officers are detailed frequently from one unit to another, they are required to have a working knowledge of more company districts than the usual officer, and while their administrative responsibilities are not as great as those of captains and lieutenants, yet on the fire ground and when in temporary charge of a company platoon, the duties required of them are similar to those of the higher company officers. Sergeants are selected from among the privates of the department on the basis of experience and fitness, and the passing of the required civil-service examination. Inspectors (7 in number).—The inspectors, under the supervision of the fire marshal, perform the specialized field work incident to fire prevention. This requires the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. They are recruited from the ranks of private in the department. Marine men. The force consists of 2 pilots, 2 marine engineers, 2 assistant marine engineers, and 2 marine firemen. In order to qualify for marine positions above the rank of marine fireman in the department, applicants must not only submit to the fire department's rigorous physical and mental examinations, but must also be qualified under the marine laws of the United States. This requires a high degree of capability and experience. Privates (686 in number).—The work of privates in the fire department is well known and needs no elaboration. These men, of course, must be not only physically qualified to withstand the arduous labors incident to their positions, but must possess unquestioned courage and the ability to stand suffering and physical punishment under most adverse conditions. Also the necessity for quick wits and intelligence is vital. In order to obtain employment they must pass a most rigid physical examination and mental tests of comparatively great difficulty. In some other cities in the United States drivers and engineers are employed at rates of pay substantially greater than those of privates in the same departments. In the District of Columbia this work is performed by the privates without additional compensation. It is most essential that young men of the highest type be obtained as appointees, because of the fact that the department's future executives will come from these ranks. Of the 25 largest cities in the United States, 13 now pay their privates salary rates greater than those in the District of Columbia, namely, from $1,800 to $2,100 per annum. Cities of 100,000 or more population which pay fire department privates more than the present rate in the District of Columbia [Monthly Labor Review, Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, December, 1929] Cincinnati, Ohio. Cleveland, Ohio. Trenton, N. J. 1 Tulsa, Okla....... Worcester, Mass.. Yonkers, N. Y.. Cities of 100,000 or more population which pay fire department privates $2,400 or more [Monthly Labor Review, Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, December, 1929] |