THE POLICE FORCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1671, 11 February 1913, Page 8

THE POLICE FORCE.

NEW REGULATIONS. EXPLAINED BY HON. A. L. . HERDMAN. SYSTEM OF PROMOTION. PAY: ANOMALIES REMOVED.

- Now. polico regulations have just been gazetted which would havo mado their appearance earlier but for tho fact that file work of the session and the absence of tho■ Commissioner of Police from Wellington during the; recent ,• industrial troubles in tho north 1 delayed their completion. Tho regulations under which the lorco has been working were made twenty-, bix years- ago. They havo been altered and added to from time to time, since. Reporting after the inquiry into tlio stato of tho police force ; which ho . conducted eomo years ago, Mr. Bishop, S.M.,' pointed out that many of tho old regulations were entirely "obsolete, useless, and ineffective, and in.some instances absurd, as applied to tho present day." . " k "Tho iiew regulations," the Hrfn. A. L; Hordman told a Dominion reporter last evening, "are un attempt to compile a bet of rules, for the administration of the police, forco which will compare .favour-" ably with other up-to-date systems." Mr. Herdmanmade the following statement in explanation of the "new regulations, and of tho various respects in which they differ from tho, regulations which havo now been superseded:—.'\ Constitution Force. : _ "Under tho heading 'Constitution of the Forco': the rank/of superintendent, which eiistcd over thirty years ago, is revived so.asito bring the forco into line, in its higher .ranks, with tho" police forces of tho United Kingdom and the Australian States. Tho dirtiesof the various ranks, are so.fully set forth, in the new regulations that each member of the force should find-no in understanding what ibis .duties,, ale. Inspectors in charge at the' four centres are to bo designated superintendents.. ■

', "Detailed instructions are provided regarding the matter -to bo uiclnded by officers in chavgo of districts in- their annual report to the Commissioner. Such report is.to include references to alterations in tho of tho force and upon the'conduct of members during the ye_ar, ; the, opening or closing of stations, the"increase or decrease in offcnces, remarks' as to -the' working of new legislation, and recommendations as to any tecessaryalteration ;in tho, law. ' . Barracks and Duty;

/The rules relating to barracks deal with a number of matters: thatwero not touched upon in tho old regulations. The use or keeping , of .'intoxicating liquor in barracks is prohibited, as also is gam- ■. bling and-abusive or threatening language. ■ Therduties of constables acting as orderlies are defined, and regulations have also been framed dealing with tho management and up-keep of the billiard-room, library, and.gymnasium attached to the barracks: ... • "Tho -duties of members /of tho; forco ori .beat duty havoi now been more fully . defined. ■ l- . . "Provision .is made for an allowance > being; granted to. members of .the, police forco who can advantageouslv uso their! bicycles in'tho execution of their' duty., ■ -V • . Clerical Staff, ' •'■•■'"Constnbles.bf over four years'service,' with-good educational qualification's, may ba .selected for. clerical.,dutyin ■ inspectors' oHiccs.t,-They.'must mar the.proper uniform, during,their, hours of duty, l and attend'all monthly and special parades. No , ono .is to.be. allowed/to .remain at clerical ; than ijiiryyears without the, Coriiimsiiioner's approval, and in fu-' turo no : clerical ullowance will be paid. ' at - present being paid ,to . ineniberi'bf. the.force now'drawing it will, : of xourse, be coiltinued/- No Sergeant, who :hW been employed 'at clerical. duty, shall te.. given charge of'a station until after / he' has served at least a year on sectional . duty nf tho .office. These new I'll les relating to clerical duty have been ' made with tho object'of giving an opportunity to "as many as possible of the wellcoiidticted,, .zealous, .'and intelligent : geants and constables to igain clerical js-l lin tho district office, so that ' they may be. well qualified to supervise; 'the office work .in .their' districts when' they attain to tho. higher ranks ,of tho torce,, and • get charge' of a district. ."Detailed instructions are 'providod dealing.with the action,,to be.taken by members 'of 'the force when cases of crime, r como under their notice or are reported' , to them. '■

"Tho qualifications required for candidates for enrolment in the,force arc fully fcot out, and rules ; prescribed governing their' dutios and conduct whilo in the training depot. , The Detective Branch. i/ ; ■ t "Provision is made for vacancies in the 'detccnverbranch being filled by the\selec-. lion of constables of over'four years' serVvice, r of exemplary ' conduct, and • possessed iof superior?'intelligence, and who. ' havo displayed i tact, ' judgment, ,• and energy in carrying out their duties. • They. must sen'o ..on. probation for six months, after which they will be permanently detailed for plain-clothes duty if found suitable. After three years' ser- : vico as plain-clothes constables they shall . be appointed- detectives, provided they havo completed eight years' service in the \ force.. and have carried out their 'duties , as plain-clothes constables satisfactorily. A chief-detective .'is to 'rank as a senior sergeant, and a detective-sergeant as a " sergeant. Before.being promoted to the rank of detective-sergeant, a. detective . must pass the examination qualifying uniform constables for .promotion to the .rank of sergeant, and, similarly, detcc- . -tive-sergeants and chief-detectives must ■pass the examinations,prescribed,for ser- , , geants and ;s9ilior Sergeants respectively before being eligible for .promotion. ~ , t *A New Departure, '"Provision is,made for the appointment of'.districtconstables at places where there is not; sufficient work to warrant a regular member of the forco being statidned. Their duties and responsibilities shall bo similar/to 'those of regular constables, but they may engage in business or. accept employment outside tho De. paTtment when;not occupicd with police , duty. 1 i -"At city'stations, sergeants, and xonsfables are,.,to bo; drilled for one hour each month.in elementary movements on foot, so as to enable'bodies of police to move in concert when'required in a smart military manner. ! I

"An allowance of fuel is to bo made for fires required in offices, watch-honscs, etc., and also for kitchen use whero messes are established. Lighting.is to bs provided for offices :nnd /.watch-houses- at places where morei than one man is- stationed, but is not to be allowed for quarters'occupied by married members of the'.force. "Houso allowances aro, granted to all members of; the; forco who are not provided with quarters.. A married man living -in barracks shall not be granted an allowance except in special circumstances where he'is supporting a wife and family, and is unable to remove, them to the place where he is stationed. "Influence" Forbidden. "The use of influenco by members of ;ho force and their friends is strictly forbidden, and a warning is that any efforts made-in. that direction by a member of th</forco may bring about his dismissal. Attempts are constantly made by members of the force to gain promotion or some other advantage by bringing pressure to bear through members of Parliament and others. It may as well be clearly understood that a determined effort will bo made to stop this mischievOus practice. v , : Instruction Classes. "Weekly classes,, to be conducted by ; a mib-inspactor or senior-sergeant, are to bo held at the four centres for the instruction of junior members of tho force in tho police regulations, and statutes bearing upon police duties, and practical .police work. Leave of Absence. "The old regulations allowed men ;wtlvo days' leave per annum, which

I might be allowed to accumulate for three years, thus enabling a man to havo 36 days' leave at the end of three years. Tho now regulations provide for 15 days' leave each year, or 45 days if allowed to accumulate for three years. Leave to commissioned officers mu9t be approved by the Commissioner, and leave to subordinate members of the force may be granted by tho superintendent or inspector. Members of, the force on leave must not leave New Zealand without the, permission of the Commissioner. Leave of absence without pay may bo granted in special circumstances, Sunday leave may be given to tlioso who are on day duty whenever they can be. spared, and such leavo is to bo equally apportioned, and will not count. against annual ' leave/ Members of the force retiring on pension may receive three months' leavo of- absence on full pay prior to retirement. "Matrons are appointed at each of the largo city stations to take charge of all feraalo prisoners. Their other duties are also defined. Regulations Regarding Money. "Members of the force arq prohibited, on pain of dismissal, from borrowing or accepting money or property from any other member of'junior grade, or otherwise.making uso of him as a means 'to borrow or procure money; or inducing him' to becotne security for a loan or debt. A junior member is also prohibited from lending money to a superior, or .from becoming security' for him in any way. Any policeman who borrows money from or places himself under a pecuniary or other obligation to « person interested in tho liquor trade renders himself viable to dismissal. Obtaining Teceipt3 before payment, or'accepting signatures To blank' receipt-forms is strictly forbidden. Mounted and Native Constables. "Mounted .constables shall be selected from the foot police as vacancies occur. They must bo smart, well-drilled men of goodf appearance, experienced in police duties, and able to frame an . intelligent report. ' - V. : \ ' Native constables are appointed, to assist tho regular police in districts whero Natives are numerous. ' They shall act under the instructions of the officer in charge of. the station to which they aro attached, and conform generally to the regulations for district constables.. Offences. 7 "Formerly the disciplinary offences with which a member of the force might be charged vrere but vaguely defined. • In the new regulations not less than fortyeight offences with which a member of the force may bo charged are specified. The punishments prescribed include dismissal or discharge, from the service, reduction in rank, or a fine not exceeding one pound. Provision is madefor an aggrieved member of the force to appeal to a higher police officer or to the Minister for Justice. Police Store. \ , "A police store is established at Wellington for the purchase and issue of uniforms, clothing, equipment, etc., for the police force. ' "The treatment and escort of prisoners is fully dealt with. They are to be humanely treated, nad every care is to be i!aken of persons of advanced age or in feeble health or of weak intellect while in custody. Every facility is to be given for prisoners to obtain bail or communicate with their friends or with a solicitor. They are also to-be given every opportunity to summon,any witnesses',for their defence if they desire to do so. ■ ' ! Promotion. "In the old regulations tlifi only qualification required of. a constable for promotion to a higher rank was that he should be able to frame and write \a report .with facility, and keep accounts correctly.. The new regulations provide that no constable shall be. promoted until he has passed a simple test in English, arithemtic, geography, questions on general police and detective duties,. .knowledge of the elementary principles of the law of evidence and of the Police Force Act and Regulations, as well as : 'the .principal,, statutes which bear on polico 'matters. It is also provided' that constables to be eligible for promotion bo under 50 years of age, and must nass a medical examination for physical fitness. Sergeants and ssnior-sergda'nts. befo'ro being promoted to higher ranks must also pass a similar qualifying examination to'.that specified for constables, but of a more difficult nature. The examinations will be h,eld in, September of each year. In addition to passing the examination, candidates for promotion must be of strictly spber.hatyts, ;and bo efficient and trustworthy members 'of the force. 1 . No one who has bwn fined for serious.. misconduct against discipline or neglect "of duty within the last two years of his service, or who has been fined for intoxication within the last five years, shall be promoted.- Similar;. regulations necessitating tho passing of simple tests of intelligence before promotion can be gained are in force in New South Wales, 'Victoria, Queensland, and in parts of Great Britain. .A regulation provides that if;a man feels 'aggrieved at not having been recommended for promotion, he inay appeal to the 'Commissioner 'to have his claim investigated, and the Commissioner may then appoint, a Court of Inquiry, consisting of a superintendent , and an inspector, belonging to apother district, to •investigate the claim and to report , the result. . •

."The regulations dealing with the fluty of saluting persons entitled to that mark of respect have been amplified and. brought up-to-date. •» The Sick List. "Members of the force unfit for duty through illness must notify the officer in charge of the'station, and where a police surgeon is appointed they shall be attended to and. get their medicine free of charge, but a deduction of one shilling a day will he made from their i>ay while on the sick list. Where, there is no police surgeon, the police must provide themselves with medical attendance and medicines at their own expense. Where illness or incapacity js caused by injuries received in execution of duty, medical expenses will be borne by the Department. . "Police surgeons are appointed at the ,four,centres to attend to. members of-the force'in the city and suburban stations, to examine candidates for tho force as to ■their.physical fitness,.and to examine and veport' upon the condition, of any member of the force who may be sent to him for that purposo. A member of tho fore© dissatisfied with a surgeon's treatment, and'wishing to employ another medical practitioner.at his own expense,'must obtain permission to do so, and report his reasons for his dissatisfaction. , "No member of the force is permitted to derive any benefit from any contraot entered into on behalf of the or to accept any discount or other benefit in connection with the expenditure • of public money. Travelling Allowances and Uniforms. "Tho scalo of travelling allowances payable to police travelling on duty is as follows:— 15s. a day; other commissioned officers, 12s. Gd.; non-com-missioned officers, 10s.; i detectives and acting-detectives, 9s. j and constables Bs. per day. ■ When on relieving or temporary duty for defined periods exceeding a week, constables are allowed 4s. a day, and sergeants and detectives ss. Officers, noncommissioned officers, and detectives travel first-class, and constables secondclass, by rail or steaimer. "The uniform and equipment of officers aro to bo strictly in accordance with instructions issued from time .to time by the Minister for Justice. Officers below the rank of superintendent must wear uniform when on duty between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, except Sunday. Sergeants and constables aro to wear blue or white helmets, according to season, bluo tweed frock with patch pockets, and blue tweed trousers. Senior-sergeants shall wear a distinguishing badge of a silver crown on tho right sleeve, and sergeants shall wear 'chevrons of three bars. Numbers are to be worn by sergeants and constables on each side of tho collars of their frocks and overcoats, instead of on the shako or helmet as previously." Watchhouses. : "Tho duties of watchhouse-keepers and the treatment of prisoners while under their custody are exhaustively, dealt with. Detailed instructions avo prescribed for the searching of prisoners and tho custody and safeguarding of their property. Prisoners suffering from any injury or illness must be provided with medical attention when necessary. Prisoners aro to be classified as much as possible, thus those charged with drunkenness, minor offencosi and serious crimes being kopt separated from each other. Mental do-

fectives aro to be kept in n padded coll where there is one. Young persons are to be kept separate from adults. "The police aro to report promptly the finding of any wreckage, and take steps to securo same. Where lives aro lost in 'wrecks, the polico must tako steps to recover bodies and securo property. Survivors from- wrecksi must be reniered every assistance, and .if necessary supplied with food and clothing. "It may be found necessary inter on to add to tlieso rules," Mr. Ilerdnian remarked in conclusion, "or to vary thorn, but I expect experience of their working i\ill show that the regulations as they stand are quite a satisfactory pieco of administrative machinery, and that they have helped in no small way to make the polico force of Now Zealand nn efficient, well-disoiplined, and contented body of mem"