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Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 238, 8 October 1928, Page 7

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Former Police Commissioner's Death At Home. ALDERMAN J. TUNBRIDGE. (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, October 7. The death is announced of Alderman John Tunbridge, ex-Chief Commissioner of Police in New Zealand. He arrested Neil Crean.

John Tunbridge was- born in the small village of Tunbridge, and- later became Superintendent of, the Criminal Investigation Department at Scotland. Yard- In 1898 he was sent to New Zealand in succession to Colonel Hume, Who was the Commissioner at that time. During his stay in New Zealand John Tunbridge instituted many police reforms. In 1899 he took part in the Royal Commission, which investigated the management of the police force. He also brought into force, in 1899. the Police Provident Fund, which later became the Public Service Superannua-, tion. He brought about many improvements in the force, which were beneficial both to the force and to the community. He relinquished his post in New Zealand, and return to his home town of Tunbridge, in-Sussex, where lie took up public affairs; and became Mayor of the town. During his service in the police force Mr. Tunbridge was engaged in Buenos Ayres, .where he arrested the notorious murderer, Neil Crean. The late commissioner is regarded in. the force as one of best commissioners to hold office in New Zea-. land. He was a born and not a made detective. • * •