THE POLICE COMMISSION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2590, 26 August 1909, Page 2

THE POLICE COMMISSION

SITTINGS AT AUCKLAND. [Peu I’itr.sn Association. l AUCKLAND, August 25. At the Police Commission to-day, Dr. Sliarman, medical officer, being asked if he had anything to say in reply to the complaints made, said he had information which showed that certain individuals had approached a member for Parliament to have him (Sharman) “fired out” of the force, bag and baggage. He was endeavoring to supply proof of this. . Dr. Sharman then retired, it being understood that he would be called again in the afternoon. Constable Foreman said he had personally declined promotion, but he said there was a good deal of influence connected therewith. He mentioned the following cases in which juniors had been promoted over serums: Keith, over 191 seniors; O’Reilly, over 131 seniors ; Ecclesf over 139 seniors; Creen,. over- 148 seniors; Cummings, over 230 seniors. ' . Sergeant Sheehan, as a deputation the sergeants, .said probationers be employed twelve months at 7s 6d per day. Inspectors should have power to- end probation at - any time during that period. He objected to the preferential promotion -of plain clothes men. He complained of what ho described as the “handy man.” While, he was in charge of Newton station the inspector received a telegram from the Commissioner asking him to report on the efficiency and organisation of the station. Asked if he had any reason to wonder whether the change at Newton station was not desirable, and if he would like to know whether the inspector could not make recommendations to that effect, lie said there was no cause whatever for complaint, and he would only 'conclude it was the work of the “handy man.” .Sergeant Sheehan said there was an inferior class of men entering the force in the last three years—what were calJed “wasters,” and not-fit for the service. Mr. Bishop: Do you think that there is any falling off in Hie physique of the men entering the force to-day, as compared with a few years ago? Sergeant Sheehan: Yes. There has been a very inferior class of men entering the force during the last two years. A great many are what you would call “wasters,” md not fitted for service when they get in. , It is difficult to get them out again as long as they behave themselves.

Mr. Bishop: To what do you attribute this state of things? Oh; men come here from Australia and elsewhere, and get into the force, and they contaminate others. Mr. Bishop: And what is the reason of it? Are no good men available? I do not see why they, should not be available, but I think tne small rate of pay offered .is a bar. Another thing is that the youth of the .Dominion does not seem inclined to knuckle Mown to discipline. Mr.-Dinnie, Commissioner of Police, submitted Sergeant Sheehan to a crossexamination on the question of “handy men,” without shaking the conviction of the sergeant that these “handy men” existed. The discipline .in the Auckland district was referred to by the witness as the best in New Zealand. He did not think* the sergeants should be allowed to remain more than six years at - one station. The Commission then adjourned till to-morrow morning.