THE POLICE COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2580, 14 August 1909, Page 7

THE POLICE COMMISSION

: SITTING AT WANGANUI. (Per Press Association.? WANGANUI, Aug. 13. The Police Commission sat here tine ■morning. Sergt. Burke, who has been in the force .since 1877. said that he h ad-no complaint to make, but understood there was a fair amount of dis- ’ satisfaction regarding promotions, it being alleged that junior and inferior men had been promoted over the heads of seniors who bad-better qualifications for promotion. Witness was 40 years of age when he.' was promoted. He considered 50 years of age the proper maximum to he promoted to be sergeants in a city.’ He did not consider a term of probation on the streets ,a necessity before appointing a man to a$r > miiitry town. He know of a con,,/le leaving Canterbury, and considered, him capable of taking any position in the force. He did not think a man should have the right to refuse promotion or transfer. No man before Mr. Dinnie’s time was offered promotion, but he was told where to go. He believed in six months' probation for

all recruits. Ho knew of at least one waster in the force who should never have been taken on. The fifth standard test Avas too high, as it excluded a great many good men. He considered the pay on joining was the cause of lack of recruits,' and thought that all men should be eligible for promotion to the highest - branches. He ■did not favor detectives being placed in a special grade. In answer to Mr. Dinnie ivitness said lie knciv of oases where political influence had been brought to bear, and gave the name of a man -who had invoiced ■ the aid ot members of Parliament. There sliovtid he a board to consider, all promotions. He believed seniority and merit should be considered together, not seniority alone. Constable Bruce, sneaking for the local constables, said be thought men should receive a minimum of 8s and a maximum of 10s a day. with house allowance for married men, of from 7s Od to 10s a week, free boots and uniforms, and leave for 21 days. sTIe considered he had a claim for promotion, having joined the force in 18S0. Detective Riddells said that many men had been passed over and less worthy inon promoted. There vvere no means of getting rid of useless men. So long as they behaved themselves they wore kept oil in the force. A probation term would remedy that. Ho considered be took a doAviiAvard step when lie became a detective. He did so as he saw no chance of promotion in the police. Inspectors’ recommendations for promotion were not often acted upon. He 'believed inspectors became unconsciously biassed. Even Avitli an Appeal Board ” dissatisfaction Avon Id exist. Sergeant Haddrell, in charge of Ncav Plymouth, spoke of the discontent over ‘rirsniiotions. The pay was too low to JLstruct recruits. A sixth standard test Avas not too high. The force Avas as efficient as it had ever been. Inspector "Wilson said a constable’s nay was too loav : so avsis the house alloAvauce. The discipline Avas not so good noAV as it was ten years ago. The conditions of colonial life A\*as not so conducive to strict discipline. Detectives should stand on the same ground as sergeants on the ouestion of promotion. The transfer of Detective Quirke from Palmerston Avas ordered, but a petition being rcceWed from the member for the district and some loading residents it was held over, and the dctectiA'e was still in Palmerston. Men should be promoted Avitjiout being first asked. 'The Commissioner, in witness’ opinion, did not have a free hand, and should be responsible only to Parliament.