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The Virginian-Pilot
Department of Police / P.O. 358 / Norfolk, Virginia 23501

City of Norfolk

February 5, 1974

Mr. Ted Owens
Cape Charles, Virginia

Dear Ted:

Thank you very much for sending me your MENSA Bulletin and the bibliography of scientists in the Mensa field.

I very vividly recall your visit to my office several years ago, particularly your quick draw. It was a pleasure then to meet you and is still a pleasure to know you.

As you may or may not know, I am retiring on March 11, and will go into pasture unless I run for the City Council and I am thinking strongly in that direction.

With best regards.

Yours sincerely,

C. J. Staylor
Chief of Police

CJS/emh

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attling Corruption
The Virginian-Pilot
Sunday, Dec. 9, 1973
Staylor Career Traumatic
By ETHEL STEADMAN.
Virginian-Pilot Staff Writer
NORFOLK - The nearly 38 years he's spent in law enforce- ment have been "traumatic" for Norfolk's silver-haired police chief, Claude James Staylor Jr., he said recently, and he's looking forward to retirement in March.
"I wouldn't want to go through it again," said Staylor reflective- ly. "Too often I was alone on my feet" battling corruption.
Staylor, who will be 62 March 6, will be forced into retirement by law., He is considered a sure candidate for the City Council in a race next year that will see 4 of the 7 seats filled.
"I'm considering it rather strongly," Staylor said "mainly because of the fact that I've got- ten encouragement from many segments of the community."
And, he added, "I think I can contribute based on my experi- ence in law enforcement and municipal government and based
on my philosophy of integrity in, "They cannot rely solely on the thin blue line."
government."
That's the way Staylor talks, and he does so in modulated, measured tones, rarely stopping to grope for the right word, sel- dom raising his voice.
But what he says is frequently dynamite.
He usually heard, one way or ¿another, from City Hall after his publicized speeches during his 6 1/2 years as chief.
In two of Staylor's memorable talks during his first few months as chief, he proposed that:
· The U.S. Constitution be amended to force suspects in se- rious crimes to answer the ques- tions of civilian boards that he suggested be set up to interro- gate such people.
Norfolk residents who are so . More men and equipment are. inclined should arm themselves . needed crime-fighting aids, he for personal protection. "The people are going to have to pro- believes, but the answer lies else- where, beyond what police are able to control. tect themselves," he said then.
His job often has been frustrat- ing, too, Staylor said, because of the opposition he's encountered in his determination to stay aloof from politics so long as he wears the blue uniform and in his com- mitment to honesty.
"I find resistence from a num- ber of quarters," Staylor said.
"When I came into law en- forcement, 1 had no idea of the extent of dishonesty and corrup- tion," the chief added. "Most of my career has been spent com- batting corruption, which has made many enemies."
Since he joined the Norfolk force May 14, 1936, Staylor said he has been "continually fighting the odds and failing to get sup- port" from higher city officials.
Once known as the "boy won- der" of the police division, "Bubber" Staylor rose from rookie to deputy chief in 13 years, a feat unprecedented and not equalled since.
But his meteoric rise stalled at
Chief Staylor
the deputy's level and Stayfor The third time, in 1956, Staylor went about his duties for 18 years before being, named chief April 13, 1967.
Twice, when Staylor's name was mentioned for the top job, he withdrew from consideration
said he would accept under cer- tain conditions. One of those was "whether or not. I would have sufficient support to carry out the job I think should be done."
Both proposals caused an up- roar. .
But, characteristically, Staylor hasn't backed down from either suggestion and has more ideas about how to swing the pendu- lum of cermissiveness in the op- posite direction.
Recently, the lean, muscled po- liceman said in an interview: "1 wouldn't feel safe walking the streets of this city-or any other major city-in some areas with- out' some protection."
Permissiveness, lack of disci- pline, and an alarming decline in fear of punishment, which in- creasingly is neither swift nor severe, are the enemies in the fight against crime, Staylor em- phasizes.