THE TREATMENT OF DETECTIVES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 237, 1 July 1919, Page 6

THE TREATMENT OF DETECTIVES

A state of affairs which calls for remedy is dealt with in. the report of a Departmental Commission which was appointed some. time ago to inquiro into certain - questions of police administration, notably the rank and status of the detective branch of the Police Force. The essential facts are brought out in a statement by the Minister of Justice which was summarised in our news columns on Friday last. In existing, ciricumstanccs, the detective branch is so obviously, denied fair and equitable treatment that it is extraordinary that the Departmental Commission did not feel bound to recommend substantial measures of relief. Looking at facts not in dispute, a report on these lines would have seemed inevitable. The members of the detective branch arc men picked from the ranks of the uniformed police on account of special qualifications for the work of criminal investigation, in respect of which they bear practically the whole responsibility. In bis statement the Minister points out that even in the case of flagrant crimes of violence, where offenders are taken red-handed, members of tho detective branch may be called npon to collect tho evidence needed to support indictment. The more exacting task of tracking down criminals of the ordinary type who show much perverted ingenuity in attempting to defeat the law is, of course, wholly the cohcern of tho detective branch. Probably there are few countries in which this responsible and vitally important work is as ill-recognised and rewarded as in "New Zealand. Compared with the uniformed branch of the police, the detective receives no other consideration in the matter of pay than a small allowance (in place of a uniform), whicl],'in these limes, must poorl.v balance the outlay he has to make in providing his own clothing and boots. He is denied the opportunities open to uniformed constables of attaining a fairly substantial income by taking charge of a countrv station.. So long, as he remains a detective his prosnects of promotion are ncchViiile. He cannot attain commissioned rank, unless by the. unir "--n branch. After long service )r may become » detective-sergeant, summit of promotion for a detective as a detective is the rank of chief detective, ranking with a penior sergeant, and there are four chief detectives in the whole of the Dominion. These are conditions which must be summed tin as unfair and absolutely futile, The efficient performance of the work of criminal investigation calls for exceptional qualities of courage, resource, and skill. It should count for a great deal also that so Jong as crime and criminals exist the maintenance of an efficient detective service must be an essential and potent-: means of limiting crime as well as of ensuis ing the apprehension of offenders. Fair and reasonable conditions of pay and promotion for detectives are demanded quite as imperatively in the public interest as on grounds of fair play to- men engaged in a particularly exacting - and trying calling. In seeking to justify tho existing arrangement the Departmental Commission has attempted the impossible. Some- of-the arguments emnlo'yed border on the farcical, as, for instance, that a detective is not appointed on account of his ability; Obviously, if he is not he ought to be, and bis ability ought to be recognised and 'reasonably rewarded. Although there would seem to be some jealousy between the' uniformed police and thp detective branch, there is, of course, no real conflict of interest. If detectives were conceded the rank and status which would make for maximum efficiency, the scope of promotion for the Police Force as a whole would be broadened considerably. From the-prominence he has given to the facts it is perhaps to be in-

ferrcd that. (ho Jlinisteb of Justice docs noL approve the recommendations of the Commission. _ It is certain, at all events, Unit without prejudice to claims of the uniformed branch of the. force, a clear case is made out for improving the standing of the' detective branch and _ granting equitable treatment to its members,'and the Minister would have no difficulty in justifying well-considered action in this direction.