TRAFFIC INSPECTORS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 131, 2 March 1928, Page 8

TRAFFIC INSPECTORS

4. TO BE SPECIAL CONSTABLES CITY COUNCIL DECISION The By-laws Committee last night recommended to the City Council that authority be granted for the traffic inspectors employed by the council to be sworn in as special constables. Councillor McKeeu protested against placing the mantle of authority upon an officer in civil occupation. 'The traffic inspectors, he said, were not trained in the same way as the police to deal with the public. There were many prosecutions for breaches of traffic by-laws, and discretion was necessary in dealing with such cases. It would not be right to give traffic inspectors the right to arrest, and he moved that the clause be rejected. Councillor Semple said that such an appointment would not be wise. It was a job for a trained man. The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) : Is the authority exercised anywhere else ? Councillor H. D. Bennett said three or four of the traffic inspectors were already special constables. The town clerk said the city had special constables on the beaches now. Councillor Bennett said they had men on point duty and another man with a cycle. He saw no harm in the proposal, for there had never been any trouble with those already appointed. Councillor Mitchell asked if all were to be given the authority. Councillor Bennett: Oh, no. Only a limited number. I will ask for authority for four. Councillor Semple: I will agree to one. Councillor McKecn: I move that the clause be struck out. The city solicitor said if the authority was not -riven the work would have to be handed over to the police. Councillor Hislop said if the power was not given the traffic inspector would not be able to stop a drunken man in charge of a car before he caused a serious accident. It was suggested that the word “se Icctcd” should be placed in the clause. The amendment was defeated, and the clause, amended by the addition of the word “selected” before “traffic inspectors,” was carried.