HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1731

POLICE BILLS.

There is presented to me for final action a number of bills
passed at the recent session of the General Assembly which, if
approved, would have the effect of compelling the Police Com-
missioner of Baltimore City to reinstate certain former mem-
bers of the Department who had severed their connection with
the force under varying circumstances.

These bills are as follows:

Chapter 150 (House Bill 223), for reinstatement of John R. Coppersmith.

Chapter 162 (House Bill 368), for reinstatement of John
W. Brown.

Chapter 394 (Senate Bill 301), for reinstatement of John J.
Mulligan.

Chapter 444 (House Bill 408), for reinstatement of Martin
K. Goonan.

Chapter 521 (House Bill 291), for reinstatement of Jos. Leo
Finney.

Chapter 538 (House Bill 599), for reinstatement of Wm. F.
Heunick.

While it will serve no useful purpose to review in detail the
cases in question, I might state that I have reviewed the re-
spective histories. In several of the matters, the individuals
while members of the Police Department were involved in
cases of serious infractions of the law and of departmental
regulations. In certain instances the individuals have been
separated from the service for a number of years.

It is my considered judgment that the attempt to legislate
back into the Police service former members who have been
separated from the service is undesirable legislation. The
Police Commissioner of Baltimore City is vested with ample
authority to reinstate former members in deserving cases.
The records, case histories and all available information are
before the Commissioner, as the commanding officer of the De-
partment, and he is best situated to determine whether an in-
dividual ought to be reinstated. To compel, by legislative
enactment, the reinstatement of a person who has left the
Department under charges, for example, might be most de-
moralizing to the force. Certainly it strips the Commissioner
of the authority to determine who can be returned to active
duty without disruption of the discipline so necessary and de-
sirable in the constabulary.