POLICE SEE NEED FOR MORE RECRUITS

Chronicle (Levin), 22 April 1947, Page 5

POLICE SEE NEED FOR MORE RECRUITS

■Press Association

By ' Telegraph —

AUCKLAND, April 21. A resolution stating that the pubiuwas not receiving the police protectioii it was entitled to owing to the de creasing strengtli of the police force and urging the immediate opening of a campaign for recruits, was among those passed at a speeial riieeti,ng of the Auckland branch of tlie Police Eorce Association. Contrary to the usuai cus tom the meeting, which was largely at tended by nten from the unifonu an.. detective branches, decided to adnii't the press. An address was given by tln national secretary, Mr. J. Meltzer, oi W ellington. ' A resolution stated that the branch vi-ewed with alarm the steadily decreas ing strength of the force and the fail ure of the Government to take tlnv necessary steps to make eonditions sufficiently attractive. ' It was weli known that the shbrtage of staff iu Auckland was .very acute and the streets, especially at night, were no' being adequately 'patfolled. , A state ment had been made to the pfess by the Commissioner, Mr. J. Oummings, that additional motor patfols were being used during the lighting restrictions, the resolution add'ed, but it was pointed oUt that additional patrols were riot in operation in Auckland. Th'e branch urged that the association makerepresentations to the Commissioner and Minister with a view to some steps being taken to feetify the serious state of alfairs.