POPULAR POLICE OFFICER

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21415, 6 March 1935, Page 4

POPULAR POLICE OFFICER

SUB-INSPECTOR FOX'S TRANSFER PRAISE FROM BENCH AND BAR Congratulations to Sub-Inspector J. Fox, for the last five years senior sergeant at the Christchurch Police Station, who has been promoted and trans- [ ferred to Auckland, were expressed on behalf of the magistrates and the legal profession at the opening of the Magistrate's Court sitting yesterday. The three Christchurch magistrates, Messrs H. A. Young, E. D. Mosley, and H. P. Lawry, and the president of the Canterbury District Law Society, Mr C. S. Thomas, all praised' the unfailing fairness with which Sub-Inspector Fox had done his work as police prosecutor in the court, and expressed their regret at his departure. Mr Young congratulated Sub-Inspec-tor Fox on his promotion. During the sub-inspector's time in Christchurch as : senior sergeant his work had been rej markably efficient. Mr Young had ' known the sub-inspector first of all 20 years ago, at Dunedin, when he ! had been attached to the court staff ; there in a special capacity,. and then also his work had been done very well. In fact, during his experience i as a magistrate in different parts of ' New Zealand, he had never seen the | work done so well. The magistrates iin Christchurch were sorry to lose the assistance of the sub-inspector, but they were glad that well-deserved promotion had come to him, and they envied their colleagues in Auckland receiving the help of such a man. An Outstanding Officer "My feelings are very mixed," said Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M. "I should say that we rejoice in the well-deserved promotion that has come to cur friend, but I think the main feelings I and my colleagues have is deep regret that a man with the capabilities so regularly shown by Sub-Inspector Fox in our courts should be removed by this promotion. In my work as a magistrate I have been brought into continuous contact with the police from one end of New Zealand to the other. There are some very fine men in the force, but it would be di'f'cult to find another man whose proverbial courtesy and thorough knowledge of the criminal law equals that of Fox. During his five years in Christchurch as senior sergeant, the public, the legal profession, and the members of the court staff and the bench have received from him nothing but courtesy and the greatest assistance in carrying out their duties. I can congratulate all concerned with the courts in Auckland on receiving such a man. Our loss is their gain. We, as magistrates, wish Sub-Inspector Fox a happy sojourn in the north, and we know that it is only a matter of time before he reaches the vary top of the tree. We know he is worthy of rapid promotion, and I look forward to the time when he will occupy the position of commissioner of .jolicj. I extend him my sincere congratulations on the promotion, and my best wishes for his future success." Fairness in Prosecution Mr Lawry said that it had always been a pleasure to preside in court when Sub-Inspector Fox was prosecuting. He put the facts with the utmost clearness, and in addition, whenever anything special could be

said for a defendant, he took care to mention it. Sub-Inspector Fox provided an example that utterly gave the lie to the suggestion that the police were out to hound down a man once he had jbeen before the court. He. was a I splendid example of the impartial I work done by the police. When prosecuting he gave defendants a fair deal, and nothing unfair was alleged against them. • ■ .-. , Mr Lawry's personal acquaintance with Sub-Inspector Fox dated from 10 years ago, in Westport, and he had then shown the same qualities. It was a great pity that his promotion should involve moving him on, but he wished him every success. Legal Profession's Tribute Mr Thomas said that as president of the Law Society, he was very pleased to add his congratulations. It had always been a pleasure- to the members of the legal profession to know that Sub-Inspector Fox was prosecuting in cases in which they were concerned, though it was sometimes to their cost. He did not remember a single case, when Sub-Inspector Fox was prosecuting, in which the members of the legal profession had. not been treated with the utmost courtesy, while the case itself had been treated in an impartial manner. Sub-Inspector Fox was looked on by the legal profession as more than an officer of the law—as a friend. The hopes expressed that he might ultimately reach the position of Commissioner of Police were endorsed by the lega profession, for such an office was not beyond his powers. . "This is the most difficult \ case i have had in this court," said Sub* Inspector Fox in reply. "It seems to me to be a case of mistaken identit), for I fail to recognise in myself the man who has been described. I°° not regard lightly the remarks made, and I feel highly honoured by'wha has been said by the three magistrate! and the president of the Law SocietjIf I have one regret at my transfer it is that for a time at least it severs my connexion with this court, for have never been happier anywhere w my relations with the bench and MrI do not feel that I merit what Wbeen said. In addition, I must that* the members of the court staff for «» many kindnesses I have received a' their hands."