Speech of Police Commissioner Richard E. Enright Before the Kings County Grand Jurors' Association - June 19, 1925

Sep 21, 2026

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Speech by Police Commissioner Richard E. Enright delivered to the Kings County Grand Jurors' Association on June 19, 1925, outlining the scope and responsibilities of the New York Police Department. The remarks emphasize cooperation across state, city, and federal agencies and describe police involvement in patrol, traffic regulation, public events, conventions, elections, snow removal, public-health emergencies, and strike-related situations. Enright argues the city’s police work is maintained at the highest standard and highlights pride in safety and order.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages14

Reading Time22 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Responsibilities of the Police Department

Cooperation with other government departments

Police support for public events

Public health, fires, and strikes

Elections and administrative duties

97-84109-9Enright,Richard E. Speech of Police Comm.Richard E.Enright. [S.I.] [1925] # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISIONBIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD RESTRICTIONS ON USE: Reproduclions may not be made without permission trom Columbia UniversityLbraries. TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA FILM SIZE: 35mmBEDUCTION RATIO: 1/:/ IB IB IMAGE PLACEMENT:IA INITIALS: 12 DATE FILMED: 6·4-97 TRACKING\#: 23325 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. 308 二 85 CXT ## POLICE GOMMISSIONERRICHARD E.ENRIGHT BEFORE THE ## KINGS GOUNTYGRAND JURORS'ASSOCIATION JUNE 19.1925— 2 I am glad to avail myself of your very much appreciated invitationto appear before this distinguished organization for the purpose of dis-cussing certain phases of police work in this city and more particularlyin the Borough of Brooklyn.Despite the efforts of some of our super-critical friends,I am able to report to you that police work in this cityis now maintained at the very highest standard,and notwithstanding thefact that we have,from every angle,the most difficult police problem inthe world,we can truthfully and with pardonable pride proclaim that wehave here the cleanest,safest and sanest city beneath the flag. The average citizen has very limited knowledge of what an organ-ization like the New York Police Department is required to do.Thebusiness of patroling the streets and regulating traffic,which activitiesare so much in the public eye,constitute only a part of the work of thisDepartment.The Police Department,under the charter,is required toenforce all laws relating _to the police,health and criminal procedureand we are required to coōperate with all other departments of the state,city and federal government and we do so coöperate,to a degree that islittle understood by the public generally. Practically all other departments of the city,state or federal gov-ernment have a single function and very little demand is made uponthem for cooperation with any other department,but the Police Depart-ment of this city must have a finger in every pie and in one way oranother every department of government expects this Department to im-mediately respond with a part or all of its forces to assist them with orout of their troubles. When there is industrial trouble of any kind in this city both sidesto the controversy expect the police to take their part,and it is surpris-ing to me that they do not also expect us to step in and run the businessand turn the profits over to either of the contending forces. If there is a wedding,a funeral,or any other social function of anyimportance,we are requested to send the Police Band,the Police GleeClub,a mounted escort,a squad of men from the Detective Bureau toguard the family jewels,and a few men in uniform to attend to anynumber of odd jobs which they think ought to be performed by theirpersonal servants,the police. In this city every day are held a number of conventions of variouskinds and,in many such cases,there are parades,sightseeing trips andother public demonstrations requiring the services of the Police Depart-ment,sometimes one man,sometimes a dozen,and sometimes a regimentor more,depending upon how grand and glorious the occasion may be. All of the election material for primary election,for registrationdays and for general election is first delivered to the various precinctstations and from there it is taken by the police to the various polling D:d：甲。-L想 SPEECH OF POLICE COMMISSIONER RICHARD E.ENRIGHT BEFORE THE KINGS COUNTYGRAND JURORS'ASSOCIATIONJUNE 19,1925 Many great personages of our own country and from abroad visithis city,and,of course,we are glad to see them and care for them aswell.Frequently our numerous self-constituted commi

FAQs

What was the purpose of Richard E. Enright's speech in 1925?

To discuss certain phases of police work in the city, with emphasis on conditions in Brooklyn.

How does Enright describe the role of the police beyond visible patrol and traffic work?

He states that patrol and traffic regulation are only parts of the department’s required duties, including enforcing laws related to police, health, and criminal procedure.

What examples does the speech give of police involvement during emergencies and major events?

It mentions snow removal operations, handling public-health emergencies such as epidemics and poisonous food concerns, and responding to situations like fires and strikes on public service lines.

Sep 21, 2026

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