THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 575, 2 August 1909, Page 6

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

HARD ON THE DESERVINC MANY. • AN INSPECTOR'S PROTEST. ' . (By Telecrapb —Proas Association.) Chrlstphuroh, July 31. The sittings of the Police Commission in tliis city wore resumod this morning beforp Commissioner H. W. Bishop, S.M. . Inspector Gillies was asked several questions by Dr. Symes regarding the health of the men. at the Christchurch station. Witness stated that mon ( if they knew that there would bo.a risk of their being dispensed with''after a: year's probation, might not offer to join the force in the required numbero, but no one could object to a probatioriary period of sis months. If Dr. Symes certi,fied and recommended that a sick constable should be allowed. to go, to his home in order to receive proper attention witness' would approve of the application temporarily and the man would not have to wait till the commissioner's approval /was- received! To Mr. Dinme: Sis months , was. a reasonable probationary period, which would not provont proper men coming'forward. ' What are the main reasons why applicants do not apply?—l certainly think that the rate of pay is ono, and probably the principal reason, and dislike of discipline is another. A third'reason is that tbo police force are held up from time to time in an unfavourable light that deters some people; "I don't wish to touch on the commission," ■' witness continued, addressing Mr. Bishop, "but I think yonr Worship will agree with me'that-the present as well as past commissions ■ affect' tho discipline of the force, and it will be some years before it gets back to its'normal Condition. Self-respecting- men <in tho. service feel keenly being held -.up to the public as they,are being held up. If there are a. few men in. the service that deserve punishment, those men should be dealt with. I/ , as.:one who has spent the whole'of his life in, the service-rl am , in my thirty-ninth year of service, having joined- when, a ..boy—and., as ono who has taken .the. greatest possible in-', terestiin.the service, as one who always liked the work, who has never tired no matter how. long the day, I feel so keenly the manner hi which the force , is held up to the ptiblic that I would be glad if tofinorrow I reached the age of.retirement. I have always loved the service, and; I love it now, but I feel, so disgusted that that is my opinion. I have rib hesitation . in ..saying . that..there! .aio. maqy men, in. the service who' hold a similar' opinion!" " • ". . . '■■'■'■ ."'..■'■ .'.■,'

, Mr. Bishop: How .are, you going, to stop : it? . The trouble is that a few cases arodistorted to the public, who take a few men as. being typical of the whole force.' ' \ . Inspector; Gillies: I know that is the case, bjit: if , these undesirable men were singled jut and properly punished the force would ndt.be held up in ah unfavourable light. ' Mr. Bishop: They have been punished, but the question is how to discover them. before the stage is- arrived at when theyjbring disgrace on the force. You ; must' remember that these men were admitted after inquiries regarding ihem. have been made. Though the cases are distorted to the public,! don't, think that; sensible - men "consider, tho men involved as typical of the whole force. , :.-•'■■ Inspector Gillies; No, ' Still there is a certain reflection on the whole force;' They refer to. the "police." , : ' . . ■•.;,.■; ; ; Mr. Bishop: We cannot help' it. ■ We can only deplore.it. and leave it at that. '.' ;• : Mr. pinnae: No, we: won't' leave it there; (To Inspector Gillies): I think you will agree with me that the whole , cause of-this, commission arises entirely from a few' malcontent's' in- the :r service--a : few. v that : have , left it?' • '■■>■■ ■ , .:.-■— ■;;•. .:,': ■..-.■ .:,.■■•

Inspector Gillies: There is; not the slightest, doubt 'in-my mind that : it"is due to'a few • men in'the service who are continually , agitating arid- disturbing'tho service, , and I could name a good many of them if T so wished. To ■■Mγ.-'-Bishop:- Witness was thoroughly satisfied -with Sub-Inspector M'Grath;' He: would not. ask for a' , more conipetent-man. He was o,f opinion that chief detectives should be the sanie footing as'station sergeants ,with respect to'promotion. ••■Whe -four l 'chief 'd6tectivefe'. , ih''the."D6minioff steMd "rknk as sub-ins'peotors, ■ ' ■ ; ; 'V , .^ , ' '.! - : >•"' '*■'. ■This , concluded the proceedings of'the com- , mission .in Christch'urch;-' l an'diat-.ll;20 a.m.tho commission adjourned to , , the West Coast; , Next.Wednesday,the-oommissioh. will.'sit- at' Greymoiith, : and it: is expected that-.'.one' day will be sufficient in Wiat town., Tlie evidence 'of police stationed in other parts of the,,West. , Coast, ,Nelson,, and Marlborough will be taken at Reef ton, Westport, Nelson, and, Blenheim. From the .last-named place the commission will, go to the -Wanganui distriot, then-to Napwr .-district r then- to Auckknd arid . Thames districts,' and ; .will finish in the-Wellington'district. ■ . •