March 15, 1941: Police Duty Is Discussed Here Friday

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 15, 1941.

Police Duty Is Discussed Here Friday

Tell the truth; be fair and impartial and give an unbiased account of the facts as they are gathered; be courteous and do not try to enact the role of prosecutor.

These were the recommendations made to Lake and Porter county police officers attending the eight weekly session of the regional training course in traffic enforcement and public safety held Friday afternoon at city hall.

The speaker was Attorney William Davis, of Chicago, assistant manager of the Automobile Protective and Information Bureau. Attorney Davis spoke at a meeting two weeks ago on “The Basic Laws of Evidence.” Yesterday’s lecture pertained to the powers and duties of police; the law and manner of arrests and use of force.

Discusses Arrests

“Police have the power to make arrests for any misdemeanor within view without a warrant,” Davis said. “However, in case of a traffic violation he must be acting within his territorial limits. Police have the power to make arrests outside their jurisdiction for state offenses but not for violation of city ordinances.”

According to Davis Valparaiso police have power to make arrests while in civilian clothes if they inform the offender that they are a police officer. Civilians also have the power to make arrests, but their powers are more limited than that of a police officer.

County police and constables have county-wide authority, and Valparaiso police, by virtue of being deputized by the sheriff, also have authority to make arrests in any part of the county.

Next Friday, Paul Beverforden, sergeant of Indiana police, stationed at Indianapolis, who is in charge of the local school, will speak on state laws and city ordinances. Professor J.L. Lingo of Purdue university, will show police how to compute speeds of automobiles by skid marks.

March 1, 1941: Police Hear Basic Laws Of Evidence

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 1, 1941.

Police Hear Basic Laws Of Evidence

Police officers attending the sixth weekly lecture in the regional training course in traffic enforcement and public safety held at City Hall Friday afternoon heard a splendid discussion on the basic laws of evidence by Attorney William J. Davis, of Chicago, assistant manager of the Automobile Protective and Information Bureau.

About 20 police officials from Lake and Porter counties attended the meeting which was presided over by Sergeant Paul T. Beverforden, of the Indiana state police. Captain H.L. Hubbell, in charge of the U.S. soldiers taking training at the Dodge Radio and Wireless Institute, was a guest. Sergeant Beverforden will lead the discussion next Friday on “Public Relations.”

Must Know Law

“It is essential that police in investigating traffic accidents or other crimes know the law of evidence,” Attorney Davis said. “They must know what is admissible and what is not; how to collect evidence which will be admissible; what are the essential elements of crime charged; what evidence is admissible to prove these elements, and what is law and what is evidence.”
Attorney Davis stressed the fact that written statements are valuable in keeping witnesses in line and enabling the prosecutor in getting a birdseye view of the case.

“Evidence police offer must be limited to those facts which will enable the judge or jury to determine whether the defendant is guilty or innocent,” Attorney Davis said.

Hearsay Sometimes O.K.

A confession or dying declaration does not need to be in writing to be admissible in court, the speaker said. To have a good dying declaration the man making it must know that he is going to die.

Attorney Davis said that hearsay evidence is admissible when such statements are made in the presence of the defendant. In morals cases children can tell their story to police in the presence of the defendant and police can then take the witness stand and relate the conversation which has taken place. The same rule may be applied in traffic law violations, where the complaining witness is a non-resident.

Corpus Delecti Vital

The speaker pointed out that it is always necessary to have a corpus delecti, or body of the crime, to prove that a crime has been committed and some person is responsible for the crime.

Davis mentioned that false imprisonment and malicious prosecution charges are frequently lodged against police. In most instances these are difficult to prove, he said. In a later appearance, Davis informed the officers he will discuss in detail the question of false arrest.

Jan. 20, 1941: DRUNKENNESS NO. 1 CAUSE FOR ARRESTS Eleven Caught Driving While Intoxicated by Local Police In 1940.

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 20, 1941.

DRUNKENNESS NO. 1 CAUSE FOR ARRESTS

Eleven Caught Driving While Intoxicated by Local Police In 1940.

Drunkenness caused Valparaiso police the greatest trouble during 1940, according to the annual report of Charles H. Gilliland, chief of the city police department.

A total of 232 arrests were made during the year of which 95, or 40 percent, were the result of imbibing too much liquor. Eighty-four arrests were for drunkenness, and eleven for drunk driving.

Recklessness Second

Reckless drivers occupied second place in the list with 54 arrests, while miscellaneous numbered 46. Nineteen persons were picked up for breaking and entering and on warrants; five for grand larceny, seven for stealing automobiles: three for contributing to the delinquency of minors and three for rape.

Tickets and warnings for violations of the two-hour parking and improper parking provisions of the new parking provisions of the new parking ordinance were given to 1,675 persons.

Find Lost Children

The report also shows the police answered 3,635 calls; reported 521 street lights out; gave lodging at city jail to 1,616 persons; found 203 doors of business houses open; answered 51 fire calls; acted as escorts at 61 funerals; provided escorts for money guards on 457 occasions; exterminated 118 dogs and cats; found 40 lost children; investigated or received reports on 469 motor accidents; recovered lost and stolen property in the amount of $6,419.50.

At the beginning of the school year in September a policeman was assigned to the Central school to see that automobiles observed stop signs at this point. Arrangements have been made for the holding of a police school beginning Jan. 24 to be held for 10 weeks with a representative of the Indiana State Safety committee in charge. Chief Gilliland has recommended the installation of a 100-watt transmitter to insure better service.