There is much talk of plans afoot to get the police force of this city increased to eight men so as to allow two officers from each ward. At the present time, Elizabeth City has six policemen beside the Chief of Police.
The incoming Board of Aldermen do not as a whole feel inclined toward increasing the size of the force, but rather to increase the monthly allowance in order to raise the standard of efficiency and to attract the better class of applicants for the job. It is the belief of Chief of Police Holmes that Elizabeth City can get along very well with its present number of officers. But Chief Holmes believes Elizabeth City can get a more efficient force, if the force is paid more money.
There was a petition before the Aldermen at the meeting of May 7 asking for a raise of $2 a month for the night police. But the motion was voted down. The Aldermen held varying opinions; some of them wanted all the police to get a raise; and others were inclined to think the incoming board should be the board to authorize the raise.
Many members of the Board which comes in office on June 4 are not unfavorable toward making the salary of the Elizabeth City policemen $125 a month as against the present salary of $100. Mayor Goodwin is among those who favor the raise for policemen, believing if the town pays more the town will get men who will not be so apt to supplement their salaries with bribes from bootleggers and other opulent offenders.
With the early possibility of a raise for the policemen, it is expected that many applicants will be in the hands of the Aldermen by June 4. As yet there are few applicants. Among those who seek to get on the force is former traffic officer George Smith.
From the front page of The Independent, Elizabeth City, N.C., May 25, 1923
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