The Home Journal

Policemen Ask
Michael's Removal
From Police Com.

A petition signed by members of the Municipal Police Force asking Gov. de Castro to remove District Attorney Cyril Michael from membership on the Police Commission was submitted today.

It is quite right for Mr. Michael as District Attorney to prosecute us as members of the Police Force for the performance of our duties, the policemen stated. "We can stand that. But as Police Commissioner he can do us no good.

When the same case which he files as District Attorney is to come up before him as a member and chairman of the Police Commission for action, we expect him to make a biased decision. We believe that such a practice is illegal.

A Commissioner should have a clear mind when a case comes before him.

The incident which is believed to have caused the petition was the action of Mr. Michael to order the arrest of Ptm. Lans on a charge of using undue force on a man whom he had arrested. The case is slated to be heard in court, but in the meantime, the Police Commission, under Mr. Michael's chairmanship, decided to suspend Lans from the force. The vote was 3 to 2, with Michael voting for the suspension. Gov. de Castro has not yet acted on the recommendation.

The police officers said in their petition, that unlike other District Attorneys, Mr. Michael never gave lectures or instructions to the police. "All he has done is to persecute, criticize and penalize us." The petition went on to say that "Michael doesn't need the police, so he goes out of his way to persecute us by doing his puppets' bidding, and will eventually be the laughing stock, which he has made himself before."