POLICE FORCE AMENDING BILL.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1924, Page 3

POLICE FORCE AMENDING BILL.

WELLIXGTOX, July 10. A Mill to amend the Police Force Act. IDIJ, has been drafted. There is a definition ol “sergeant” to mean any mem her ol the force below the rank of suit-inspector, and above tile rank of constable. The power to make regulations lor the government of the force is to he deemed to include power to proscribe tines and penalties for breaches of regulations under Section I I ol the Act. Amendments are proposed as to enquiries regarding breaches of duty by members of the force. Two or more persons, of whom only one shall lie a mciilltcr of the force, are to enquire into charges. If the charge lias been proved the -Minister may recommend to the GovernorGeneral the dismissal ot the offender, or a reduction in rank, or impose a fine of not more than £2O, or inflict such other punishment not more severe than the foregoing.

Where a sergeant is charged with misconduct or neglect of duty, and he denies the charge, the Commissioner

'hall direct any superintendent or inspector to enquire as to the truth of

the charge, and to report his fimliu; to the Commissioner. If the superin temlent or inspector reports to tin Commissioner that the eliarge'lms beer proved, the Commsisioncr may recommend to the Minister the dismissal id tin- offender, or his reduction in rank, or his reduction in seniority and pay, or impose a fine of not more than C'o. Git tiny such recommendation the Minister may dismiss the offender from the force or reduce his rank or his seniority and pay, or refer the matter back to the Commissioner for a line of not more than Co. in which ease the Commissiotier shall impose such fine accordingly. In the exercise of the powers conferred by this paragraph, the Minister shall not lie hound bv the terms of the Commissioner’s recommendation, save that he shall not in any ease inflict a penalty more severe than that recommended bv the Com-

missioner. Where a constable is charged with misconduct or neglect of duty, it ml he denies the charge, any superintendent or inspector may enquire as to tietruth of the charge. If, as the result ol his enquiries, the superintendent or inspector finds the charge to be proved. he shall recommend to the Commissioner the dismissal of the offender, or bis reduction in seniority and pay or impose it fine of not more than C.'l. On any such recommendation the Commissioner may dismiss the offender from the force, or reduce his seniority any pay, 01 impose a line of not more than t.’l. In the exercise of the |towers conferred by this paragraph the Commissioner shall not be bound by the terms of the recoinnieinlalion, save that he shall not in any case inflict a penalty more severe than that recommended by the superintendent or inspector.

Section li of the Amending Act of is to lie extended so as to apply to persons who voluntarily retired from the force to join an expeditoinary force (under the Expeditionary Forces Act, I Did). The section referred to is the one restoring rights to members who resigned to join an expeditionary force. Payments into superannuation funds as mentioned in Section (>, may be made within twelve months ol the passing ol the Ad, or where such payments are to be made by instalments. I hey may extend over such periods not exceeding three years. There is an amendment proposed in Section 27 of the principal Act providing that where a warrant lots been issued for arrest, and has not been executed, any members of the force mav, without having the warrant i*

liis possession, arrest l lie persons in respect ol whom the warrant is issnoJ.