THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2664, 20 November 1909, Page 6

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

AIR. DINNIE’S REPLY, •'

rpuu PitKSs Association. I , WELLINGTON, Nov. 19. Mr. Dinnie in his reply to Mr. Bishop’s statement that though there had been for several years an . urgent need fqr .revision of the regulations, nothing ltad' been' done/ stated that in August, 1906, lie began work on revison. An • enormous amount of research was necessary to make the regulations comprehensive, but in May last the draft was completed, and. in August the proofs were distributed to the inspectors. Evidence was given that the chief clerk had for two years worked overtime on the draft. In reference to the charges brought by ilr. Arnold, Mr. Dinnie traversed ,the finding of the Commission, and contends that the proper inquiries were made on the question of discharges .granted to men who wore afterwards found to be undesirable. He draws a distinction' between parchment certificates of discharge and mere paper memoranda. The former, lie states, is the only one of value, and the latter counts for nothing. In several instances he shows no parchment certificate was- granted. . . '. On tlie.cquestion of-political influence , he quotes the •Commission's report: ■‘‘That the most mischievous direction in which political influence operated lilts -been in inducing the enrolment of men into the force without sufficient inquiry.” To this lie replies: ‘T specially produced to Mr. Bishop a number of‘fifes containing letters from members and the replies thereto, with the object of entirely disproving such an assertion' in fact, I invited him to my-office to search the files, hut apparently he had no desire to avail himself of the opiportunitv, as he did not visit the office at all. A -more unwarrantable suggestion than that made by him ] s inconceivable. - There was not a tittle of evidence before him on which ho could draw such conclusions, and I challenge him to quote a single instance justifying his allegation. There never was a time when .political influence had ■less effect than now.” Mr. Dinnie strongly resents the recommendations of the Commissioner as to a change in the headquarters s-tair. Ho contends that the evidence does not ■ warrant the conclusion of the Com- . .missioner, and particularly .says that .“profound dissatisfaction against SubInspector Wright” is not borne out bv evidence, v The only evidence given was of-two discontented men. “How, therefore,” safs-Mr. Dinnie, “can Mr. Bishop say'(he has deeply gauged the l'eelin< r on thfe .point throughout the force.” Why should Wright, who is exceptionally qualified for the position he holds, be turned out of office on the unsupported testimony of two men and the preconceived opinion of Mr. Bishop, and his character blasted as one who is to be distrusted Mr. Dmnio scouts the suggestion that a. Civil Service clerk would scon pick up the duties. The work requires years ol experience to properly master it, and the idea is absurd. . . , With regard to the Commissioner s condemnation of Mr. Dinnie’s leniency, in cases of drunkenness in the force, the latter states that the regulations quoted by the former have never been literally enforced since they were made in 1887, and for very good reasons. The principal of these is that what is considered drunkenness m a police official would.he sobriety in an ordinary man \ policeman under the icguiatioiis is drunk if he has any signs of liquor on him at all, and it would he ridiculous to apply universal punjshment where the circumstances dittei. In everv respect, Mr. Dinnie asserts, ho has followed the practices adopted in every force he has had experience , and also adopted by his predecessors m this force. Why did not Mr. Bishop compare his action with that adopted by his predecessor? “Since I assumed charge ” says Mr. Dinnie, I have dispensed with the services of 33 men who brought discredit on the service timing li drunkenness, and who were taken in my predecessor s tune, practically without inquiry.” +hp Speaking generally, he aigue* the '(Commissioner did not approach his undertaking with an open mind. Me points out that he is responsible for the appointment of .429 out of /61 ofn cers that on the finding of the Commission the force is efficient; that it is free from bribery .and conniption, and that everything is good except the mail responsible for the results.