THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2535, 23 June 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

A COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. June 22. _ During the time that Mr. H. W • Bishop, S.M., is engaged m the work of the Police Commission Ins magistenaJ duties at Christchurch will be earned out by District Judge. Haselden. The terms of the Commission have not yet been decided upon, but it is understood that they will afford the Commission every facility for making the enqun.Y as full and ’comprehensive as possible. It seems likely that the enquiry will bo open to the press, and be officially reported'. There is one phase of the subject which will probably receive a wood deal of attention during the quirt, and that is the principle or staffing followed in connection with the Comm’ssioner’s office. The present system is that the staff consists ot men holding rank of sub-inspectors, chief detective, and so on down the scale. Some members of the police force cnc*a<md on what may be called the moie active work of the force, and especially the “street*’ and detective work, urge that men engaged m a purely clerical capacity under the Commissioner should rank in the Civil Service, not as members of the force, but as civil servants. The force, they argue, consists or a certain number of men of each class from inspectors downwards, but it some of any particular rank are engaged on purely office work that must necessarilv throw more work on the shoulders of the men who are engaged m the actual law and order portion ot the business. It is argued that by such a system unnecessary and sometimes unpleasant questions of seniority anse, which could he avoided ifrank_ was; not a consideration in regard to the bead office staff.