At the time, we were working on a Sunday detail, which is one of our smallest. Sunday is a less active day, and we have fewer people working on Sunday, that is, than we do any other. That is the day we try to get most of our--not "most," I'm sorry, that is a poor term. We cut our detail down on Sunday due to the fact that police activity is light. So, I talked it over with him about what we should do about the method of security of the area, and finally decided that if--for him to pull three squads from each of the three substations, and four squads out of the central station, and to pick two-men squads where possible so that we could build up the total number of men that we had as quick as possible.
This second platoon, the day platoon, works primarily one-man squads, and our two-man squads are trainee squads. The trainees work with an older officer and create a two-man squad there. Could you leave this off just a moment? That is something

Mr. Hubert.

All right; off the record. (Discussion off the record.)

Mr. Hubert.

All right; then, you decided to set up some system of security for the police department building?
Captain TALBERT. I further told Lieutenant Pierce to have the basement cleared of all personnel. Have them searched. Thorough search, and secure it, letting only the authorized news media and police officers into the basement.

Mr. Hubert.

What
Captain TALBERT. The basement area that

Mr. Hubert.

What system of authorizing newsmen was in use ?
Captain TALBERT. Using their press identification.

Mr. Hubert.

Had that been issued specially ?
Captain TALBERT. That is the-general order, 81, I believe that is the number of it. I don't know whether you want to include that in here or not. I believe general order 81, is that we would utilize this is a long-standing--that we will utilize the normal press identification to permit news media into scenes of incident areas. The amateurs, bystanders, were kept out because they don't have those identification---

Mr. Hubert.

Is that an identification commonly known to police personnel ?
Captain TALBERT. They scrutinize it. No, sir; each could utilize these different types, but you have to scrutinize their identification.

Mr. Hubert.

Do you say that you permit these persons to enter, but civilians without news identification could not enter? Captain TALBERT. Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

That was in effect that day ?
Captain TALBERT. I utilized it.

Mr. Hubert.

Well, I mean, the order was in effect ?
Captain TALBERT. It had not been revoked.

Mr. Hubert.

So, you utilized it ?
Captain TALBERT. Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Therefore, it was determined that when you were clearing out the basement, you would clear out all persons who were not police officers or news media properly identified?
Captain TALBERT. Yes, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

Now, can you tell me why you did that as to the basement?
Captain TALBERT. The basement--I am using a very loose term in "basement," I meant, and did convey to Lieutenant Pierce, "the area," in which Oswald would be----if he was transferred, and I used that term, "if he was transferred," I didn't know that he would be. Although, our basement was becoming cluttered with newsmen at that time.

Mr. Hubert.

Had you been told by anyone that Oswald would be removed from the upper story of the building by use of the Jail elevators to the jail office, and from the jail office through the Jail corridor into the basement ramps.
Captain TALBERT. At that time; no, sir.

Mr. Hubert.

But.
Captain TALBERT But, of my own knowledge that is the only way he could be removed to a car unless he went through another floor and out on the street. That is the way you go in the normal police building area.

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