THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 550, 3 July 1909, Page 3

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Sir, TJ i *^ flk P"*** woU ov«3wie .will' , apoe that knows anything of bdcH nuttus - that tie proposed commßßion will be' a larco ii the extraordinary reefcrictkjaa int*> mated are to bo adhered to, and I for en* strongly protest against any Hsetrio&M whatever. Prom what I know lenTiny dined to suspect that directly or indirectlx ' the suggestions ro restrictions must have emanated from tho head office, and 1 will euggcet possible roaeoae. Now, euppoß© that those at headquarters were found to bo easily infiuenood, and that in oon6cquenco tho evil of eocroi inflaoaoo soon becamo very otrong, and that suoh influence was used trom timo to timo on behalf of members of the service acoused of various arid some serious offences; And that instead of being dealt with as thought to have' bean, they wore shielded in ovory way possible until they could bo shielded no longer, and even then were dealt with M gently tie if they were babies, and allowed to retire at ttoeir own convenience, etc. And not only that, but if the few upright membero that would not fall in with sucn conduct wore in, , consequence given a'very bad timo aftor;.wards..is it reasonable- to think i&oso concerned would like to havo euch matters now publicly ventilated? Not mnch. And I am I afraid thoro is more than mcro supposition I in tho matter.' And if'there is,.jnst imagine tho effect it would have on all the doubtful members throughout tho 6eryioe. People ' nave no idea how 'such things tfavcl through the rank and file, and especially when, men. known to bo guilty of misconduct escape scoi free altogether. Is it not direct encourage, ment to others inclined that way to do tao same? This ie well,known in every police service, for they arc never without black. ehoep that ought to bo woedod out whenever found. ' Of course, I reoogniso that the v ment is more or loss implicated, for it is no4> so very long since wo were told "wo have the finest force in tho world," and that no doubt-makes it somewhat unpleasant foT Dr. ! Fuidlay., Still, considering the far-reaching effects should tho inquiry .turn'oat a fait 1 uro, all ''restrictions bhoiild be rempvod, [ otherwise I sim afraid sonio scrioue allegations J will not be investigated at all. No doubt this i lathe very thing desired by some people, but will the country stand this sort of thiiig? , I Surely not. I would therefore suggest Hhat i Mr. Dinnie and Wβ clerks bo callcdfirßt, one 1 after the other, to be questioned separately 1 as to certain matters in connection with the J administration of tho force during hjs term lof offioo in New Zealand. If everything; i» satisfactory, what havo they to Joar? will they agree to it? I doubt it very,much. Aβ above indicated I caniiot seo how tho Government can avoid being held responsible 1 to a great extent tor the present stale of. affairs, henco how can they be expected lo t» very eager that tho whole truth should como out? 'lliey must have known Bomo of the , weaknesses iu the Department, which grew up soon nftor the late eommissionir's retirei ment. Everyone, will remember tic extra- ' ordinary blunder in connection with tho wellknown "stolen writing-paper," brough't'tothe commissioner by tue Uev. Mr. Isitt for inquiry. , Appaiently all tho export from Scotland Yard could or «ould do was to seriously recommend tho prosecution of the rev, gentleman "for having stolen property in his possession." Could stupidity go further? An ordinary civilian would be expec- , ted to know that before sucli a chargo couldbe mado therp must be some "felonious intent.", v WTia't was Mr. Isitt's intention iu tho matter ? Ho' 'criminally'' brought them to the Commissioner of Polico for inquiry. ,A. .serious crimo truly I Apparently it never occurred to the commissioner that ho was in •ssactly tho s.imo box himself as Mr. Isitt— botli getting them for inquiry. Some thought that aftorthis thoro would bo a change Not a bit of it. The Houso was told that "he apparently wae tho right mnu in the right place." It would also be interesting to know if tho approval of tho commissioner's action ro Mr. Isitt's case encouraged him sufficiently to commit nnotlier remarkable act, A circular was issued throughout tho Dominion. ' warning tho mombers of the force against - following "drunks" into hotels /to seo if sorved, with a view to proceedings, etc. Thia was a staggerer if you like. . Somo time after it was quietty, cancelled. (I nupposo som,o> V ' one drew attontion to the matter.) Did the Government'know this? If not, they ought to. • This was undoubtedly ono of. the most daring or foolish things/ ever dono in a polico force. And who can bo ignorant of the ' fact that influento is ueed in, the service? Iβ this the sort of thing ' vernment want? If so, farewell to the efficiency of the sorvico. It is well known )'n~ largo cities that once a force becomes corrupted it takes generations to wipo it out rtDiain; indeed, if ovor it can bo wiped out. But enough at presont. I, howover, hope '. you will lend your powerful assistanre in getting a proper inquiry, rot a half-and-half sort of thing that will please nobody.—l am, ' INTERESTED. ' July 2.