Detective Chief Cleared of Corruption Charges
After a contentious police board hearing, the city's detective chief beats accusations of theft and graft, while the board simultaneously disciplines subordinates.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The investigation held by the board of police commissioners regarding charges of theft and malfeasance against Chief of Detective Bolton Rogers brought forth no evidence of guilt, resulting in the charges being dismissed. During testimony, Delegate Charles T. Cowden admitted he had no direct knowledge of wrongdoing, noting his information came from hearsay and disgruntled former officers. Several witnesses mentioned incidents involving stolen goods and protection money from the 'Whitechapel' district, but none could substantiate the claims. Following the exoneration, the board announced that other officers, including Captain Sheehan and Jailer Ben Stretch, faced disciplinary action or reductions in rank. Concurrently, the council held an election for Inspector of Police, choosing Patrolman H. W. Barr, despite the Police Chief's vocal opposition.
“I have lived in Seattle four years. I am a property-owner and a taxpayer. No one asked me to make the charges. I heard a great deal about these things—enough to make a good-sized book.”
Public skepticism of police accountability and the use of 'informal' investigation by city officials mirrors modern-day debates over oversight and police reform in Seattle. The mention of 'Whitechapel' serves as a stark reminder of the city's historical red-light districts and the long-standing, often fraught, relationship between Seattle law enforcement and the underground economy.
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