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FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin • SEPTEMBER 1951 Vol.20 No.9 CONTENTS P.... The FBI Law En- 1 Statement of Director J. Edgar Hoover. forcement Bulletin Feature Artjcle: is issued monthly Professional Standards in Law Enforcement, by Walter F. Anderson, to law-enforcement former Director, State Bureau of Investigation, Raleigh, N. C., now agencies through Director, North Carolina Prison Department. 2 out the United Scientjfic Aid.: States. Much of Medicolegal Examinations for Poisons 4 the data appearing Mi.cellaneow: herein is of a confi Emergency Use of School Busses as Ambulances 8 dential nature and Crime Deterrent, Minneapolis . )0 its ci rculation Bulletin Reprints . 10 Homicide Unit of Cleveland Police Department . .. 11 should be restricted e Notice (Annual Conference, International Association of Chiefs to law enforcement of Police) . 23 officers; therefore, Identification: material contained Ridge Counting in Fingerprint Classification. .. 12 in this Bulletin Questionable Pattern . (Back Cover) may not be re Inserts-Wanted Notices, Missing Persons and Cancellations. printed without Police Per.onalitie.: prior authorization Sheriff Bill Decker of Dallas County. 15 by the Federal Forty Years in Law Enforcement (William R. Martin, Kalispell, Mont.) . 16 Bureau of Investi Tennessee Chief Honored (Arthur L. Lively, Alcoa, Tenn.) 17 gation. Lewiston Chief (Roland C. Amnott, Lewiston, Maine) 17 Fingerprint Pioneer (Harry H. Caldwell) . 18 Crime Prevention: Pal Program Serves Youth in Bayonne, N. J. 19 Alhambra Agencies Cooperate for Youth Guidance 22 Delinquency Curbs Emphasized in Decatur, Ill. 24 Wanted by the FBI (Sidney Steele McLain) . (Inside Back Cover) Published by the FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, Washington, D. C.. lIlnitel.l itates 1.8epartment of 9ustire lReberal iSureau of IInuestigation masllingtnn %5, 1.8. C!r. September 1, 1951 TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS: In this period of concerted mobilization of our national resources, the significance of fires and explosions, such as those which marked increased industrial production in World War II, must be immediately determined. When such disasters are of unusual or unexplained orlgln, and affect any phase of the National Defense Program, they should be reported immediately and directly to the FBI. The Federal Bureau of Investigation considers that its responsibilities in internal secu rity matters include none more vitally important to our country's welfare than those relating to sabotage. The saboteur who cripples our nation's defense effort seeks the destruction of property with wanton disregard for human life. In discharging its duties with respect to sabotage violations the FBI relies heavily upon cooperation from all law enforcement agencies through prompt referral to this Bureau of information indicating sabotage activity. Continued assistance of this type will insure that appropriate action may be speedily taken. Coordination of law enforcement effort has historically proved to be our most effective means of combating criminal and subversive elements. Municipal, county and state law enforcement officers are in a unique position to discourage hysteria and the circulation of ill-founded rumors, and at the same time render valuable service by channeling to the FBI reports of suspected sabotage. Very truly yours, _~~AAo ~ ohn Edga Hoover Director Professiona' Standards in Lam Enforcement by WALTER F. ANDERSON, form er Director, State BU1'eau of Inl'e8tigatio'fl, Raleigh, N. (I., now f>ir (> ('tor~ A Profession North Oarolina Pri80n j)epartment The profession of law enforcement must keep lleed for strict adherence to requirements of con step with the developments of the"Atomic Age" duct Itnd performance which will command the and shoulder increasing responsibilities along respect of the members of our communities. with other professions seeking to achieve a better life for those whom they serve. Law enforcement Selection of Personnel in this country has progressed steadily during re The selection of law enforcement per onnel is one cent years, and we can look back with justifiable of the most important phases of law enforcement pride to our accomplishments. The task has not administration. been an easy one. The progress enjoyed by our We must not only maintain the highest educa profession has to a great extent resulted from tional standards possible, but the most rigid in vision and courage of the type exhibited by J. vestigation into the character of each individual Edgar Hoover, Director of the Federal Bureau is essential. of Investigation. A searching and thorough inquiry must be made As a profession, we cannot afford to rest upon of an officer applicant covering his entire lifetime. past achievements nor do we dare to become com Mental alertness and physical fitness are, of placent. We must be constantly mindful of the course, further necessary qualifications for offirp.r personnel. Training An applicant who is accepted as having met these rigid standards must undergo a thorough period of training. In addition to basic training, the recruit's schooling should include courses which will condition him for any dangerous or difficult assignments he may encounter in his work. Periodic retraining courses should also be pro vided for every member of the department includ ing supervisory personnel. The value of thorough and continuing training has been frequently dem onstrated as an important means of combating the forces of crime. The conscientious law-enforce ment administrator is anxious to provide maxi mum training benefits to the officers under his command. Thorough schooling in effective law enforcement procedures pays invaluable divi dends, measured in terms of effective public servlce. Personal Conduct Law-enforcement officers, like other individuals, Walter F. Ander.on, Director, North Carolina Pri.on Department. are judged by their personal conduct. This holds 2 FBI LAW ENFORCEMENT BULLETIN true ·in their role of enforcers of the law and in Cooperation their private lives as well. The entire profession suffer when one of us is involved in misconduct. Every effort should be made to establish and main An officer who is disloyal to his oath of office be tain effective cooperation among law enforcement comes a tool in the hands of the criminal element, agencies on the local and Federal level. Each and brings reproach upon his fellow officers and agency has its own jurisdiction and responsibili his community. The law-enforcement officer has ties. None should infringe upon another. Prog the tremendous responsibility of serving as a sym ress of law enforcement in this country, however. bol of right and justice, and of setting an example has in part resulted frol1l the willingness of offi for his fellow citizens. cers to furnish wholehearted cooperation to others in meeting the problems which they have in com mon. There are certain obligations which should Efficiency be respected, in affording cooperation of this sort. We are also judged by the efficiency with which Records sent from one department to another we perform our duties as guardians of the com should be safeguarded to the same extent that the munity in the protection of life and property and requesting agency would have its own records preserving the public peace. sa feguarded. Above all, care should be taken to Law enforcement is a challenging task. It is i nSllre that police and identification records are more than a professional calling, it is the high utilized only for official purposes, and are other privilege of serving the people. We are failing wise treated in strict confidence. them, as well as ourselves, when we do not render the best service possible. In order to assist in Crime Prevention keeping our democracy strong we must keep law enforcement on the local level effective and The conscientious officer realizes the necessity for respected. preventing crime at every possible opportunity. 'When the members of the community realize that their law enforcement body is fearlessly striving Moral Conscience to enforce the law for the best interests of all We must not only perform our duties to the letter concerned, public cooperation will be forthcoming. of the law, but adhere to the maximum standards Public support will also be more readily furnished rather than the minimum standards of our pro in connection with programs designed to pre fession. There may be times and circumstances vent the occurrence of criminal activity at its when action can be taken without violating the source. letter of the law, but at the same time such action As officers we have the additional responsibility is morally wrong. of seeking the elimination of influences which Our standards must be so high that our moral foster crime among juveniles. It is to the credit conscience will not permit anything less than of law enforcement that in numerous localities performance of duty in accordance with the strict our profession has taken the lead in providing est definitions of right and wrong. wholesome, supervised activities for youth who Here, it seems to me, is an opportunity for law might otherwise fall prey to evil forces. The boy or girl who early in life learns to respect and honor enforcement to display a type of leadership which the forces of law and order is best equipped to is so greatly needed in every walk of life and in meet the responsibilities of adult citizenship. every level of our society. Our consciences have been shocked and our emotions stirred by charges Conclusion that certain members of the law-enforcement pro fession have submitted to influences exerted by These observations and convictions have resulted those who seek to circumvent the laws by obtaining from years of experience dedicated to law en concessions. Officers who yield to such influences forcement work. They are offered with the utmost must be removed from our ranks, and we must confidence that the law enforcement profession rededicate ourselves to the goal of enforcing the will meet effectively its duties and responsibilities letter and spirit of laws provided for the benefit as a vital influence in the preservation of our of all.