DISCIPLINE IN THE FORCE

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 600, 31 August 1909, Page 6

DISCIPLINE IN THE FORCE

STATEMENT BY A MAGISTRATE. "NEED FOR AN ALL-ROUND SCREWING UP." (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, August 30. , At the Police Commission this morning, Mr. Kettle, Senior Stipendiary Magistrate, expressed the opinion that the discipline of the police force was not as good as it should bo. He referred more particularly'to somo of the' -younger men , appointed during {'. the last two years. 'He thought there should be proper military discipline in t'he . force. He had seen' officers this morning lolling outside the court, and smoking, while in uniform. He thought the men should have at least.'three months' training in barracks, and go, before a board of inquiry beforei they were sent, out. He spoke highly of various, officers in the Auckland force. He thought, other things . being equal, preference should be given to senior men where vacancies occurred. .., .

Mr. Kettlo said. he, did riot approve the police being-employed to trap persons into committing offences, 110 stated that-he had reason to believe that the police had beeii instructed to report upon the magistrates, and he understood that an inspector had been concerned in tho matter. . ■ Inspector Cullen emphatically denied- the allegation. ; Mr. Kettle accepted, his disclaimer. '• _ Inspector Cullen then vstated that ho was informed that a magistrate had Reported pri-■ vat-ely to a Minister with regard to himself. Mr. Kettle said ho knew nothing of any, such proceeding. ■" Mr. Dinnie: iou thing the sergeants are worthy of the : promotion' they have. re-. ceii;ed ? ■ ' , Mr. Kettle: I certainly think so." Take Sergeant {Ramsay, for instance. : He is in every way a! capable ajid efficient officer.' Mr. Dinniei .So that you do not agree with Mr. 'lavlor, M.P.,' who stated in the House that Ramsay should not be in the force? . ■ ' .' Mr. Kettle: I certainly do not.' {' • Mr. Dmnie: liou have referred to want of discipline? -- '{■ \ : V Mr; Kettle: Yes. There is labk of, discipline every wnere. . \ou . find it .in , all branches of'employment'. There is . the ,need fori an all-round a;re\ving-up. •{•-Mr., Dinnie:' How far does; political' influ,ence affect-the police force?..-' ' , : ' !'•■■■"•Mr."'Kettle: I' cahiiot say that it obtains 'ait-all.'- How could I know whether it did or not? Members- of. Parliament, the liquor party, or arty, other body might'seek to. use, influence, but Ij of course, c-unnot say whether they wouid .succced. '•• . Dr., Sharman, .police surg^oufgave evidence in regard', to, the - allegations -that the .-mem-: •bers -of . the .force are dissatisfied .with him.. He said that eight persons . out of etjery' ten; are ._ satisfied' with •him. JEte said t'hat'thostrain-' of night, duty seemed to have a detrimental '..etfect-.upon some, of, the: members of the force, and lie, .suggested -,that th«re ; shpuld 1, be ia iii.ierer.ee in summer' and winter clothing. !. ,: ,- .

• Mr. C. H. ■ Poole, M.E., said that ,a great deal of ~'tho' work of {the police coiisisted in, enforcing the provisions ot .the Licensing Act, and he; alleged that , they were, often subjected{to .intimidation.., Tliev should -be protected from -any. such .interference' from, whatever.- source, it; might come. ' He stated that appeals to political influence. wero beoorning quite . commonplace , ; in New Zealand," and that hardly' a day passed without membefs of Parliament being appealed .to for some ' sort .of favours.' The commission adjourned till tfl-morrow: ' "-'-'I " ■- •••■ :