Norwich's Paid Police Force - 1900

The Paid Police Force

Norwich Now Enjoys This Notable Public Improvement

Utica Saturday Globe, April 1900

 

The Three Finest of Norwich

Policemen John E. Hogan, David Harris and Lewis H. Bowers

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  A paid police force in Norwich is now a fact and has been for a week.  The three members of the force made their maiden appearance last Sunday morning in full uniform, including white gloves.  It must not be inferred form this that they belong in the kid glove class, for nothing would be further from the fact. They are all "sober men and true and attentive to their duty."  Their dignified appearance has been duly impressed from the start, while their usefulness is being proven daily. Three handsomer, more stalwart, specimens it would be hard to find.

 

On Sunday the weather was balmy and spring like and many people were tempted out of doors, partly to enjoy the bright sunshine and partly to see and admire the new policemen who were easily the most admired men in the village for the time being at least.  Their neat-fitting uniforms and snow-white gloves made them rather conspicuous and they were easily distinguished from the common herd of humanity.  They were subjected to the closest and most critical scrutiny but bore up bravely under it and came out without a mark of criticism worth mentioning.  On Monday the weather mood changed and Old Winter, as if in spite because Spring had cracked a smile the day before, took hold with a fresh and furious grasp. The policemen's lisle thread gloves gave place....

 

....of police and he has assigned the men to duty as follows:  Policeman Hogan will be the day man.  He will report for duty at 1 a.m. and remain until 6 p.m,  Policemen Bowers and Harris will come on duty at 6 p.m.  Bowers will have the northern precinct and Harris the southern.  Bowers will remain until relieved by Hogan.  Harris will go off duty at 4 a.m. (daylight) and report at 1 p.m. to relieve Hogan one hour for dinner. The arrangement gives police protection during every hour of the day and double protection at night.  It is possible that a substitute policeman may be appointed to do special duty and relieve the regular policemen when necessary.

 

The good effect of the force is already evident. During Sunday some notorious resorts were closed and loafing on the street corners has been perceptibly lessened.  Policeman Hogan made his first arrest on Sunday, gathering in a drunk on North Broad street.  Probably three better men could not have been selected. Each will vie with the other in doing his full duty and doing it in the right way. The day of observing the law and preserving order in Norwich has dawned.

 

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Norwich Police Force

Appeared on Duty in Full Uniform Sunday Morning--Hours of Service

Chenango Semi-Weekly Telegraph, April 11, 1900

 

At a special meeting of the village trustees held Saturday evening, the resolution adopted at the last charter election, "That hereafter there shall be a paid police force in the village of Norwich, N.Y., was duly adopted and at once became operative.  Other resolutions relative to the rules and regulations governing the department were adopted and the following officers appointed:  Lewis H. Bowers, No. 7; David E. Harris, No. 6; John E. Hogan, No. 5.  The salary was fixed at $45 per month.  After the passage of the above resolutions, the newly commissioned officers were brought before the meeting for inspection, attired in their new regalia, after which final instructions were given them.

 

The uniforms are dark blue, regulation style, and the wearers present a very attractive and dignified appearance as they pass along the streets.

 

Mayor Hewitt, who under the charter is also chief of police, has assigned the policemen to duty as follows:  Policeman Hogan will be the day man.  He will report for duty at 1 a.m. and remain until 6 p.m,  Policemen Bowers and Harris will come on duty at 6 p.m.  Bowers will have the northern precinct and Harris the southern.  Bowers will remain until relieved by Hogan.  Harris will go off duty at 4 a.m. (daylight) and report at 1 p.m. to relieve Hogan one hour for dinner.  All have provided Marquis phones in their residences and may be called at any time when not on duty.  The above arrangement gives police protection during every hour of the day and double protection at night.  It is possible that a substitute policeman may be appointed to do special duty, and relieve the regular policemen when necessary.