THE POLICE FORCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 February 1930, Page 2

THE POLICE FORCE

VIRILE MEN NEEDED

AGE OF RETIREMENT,

WELLINGTON, February 1

Youth will have its day in the Police Force —at least, if Commissioner W. R. MTlveney has his way. “The force must- have young, virile men,” said Mr M’llveney to a reporter. “The young men who have been added to the police during the last few years have done exceptionally well, and have slipwn that they were wisely selected. They are a splendid addition, and will make very valuable police officers.”

On the other hand, the Commissioner stated that lie was strongly opposed to Irony -.regulations which permitted officers of long service to remain in the force after their sphere of usefulness was past. At present, a police officer could retire after forty years’ service, but he could not be compulsory retired. The result was that cases had occurred where officers past the retiring age had become lax, and. bv continuing to hold their posts, had blocked younger and more efficient men from promotion.

In order to prevent possibilities of this description, he considered that the Government should have the same power towards the men as the men had towards the Government—that of compulsory retirement on completing forty years’ service. At present the officer could retire if he desired, but the Department could not retire him.

Another matter which required adjustment was. the retiring age for members of the force. At present the police were on the same footing as other public servants in that they could retire after forty years’ service. This placed the force at a distinct disadvantage, as policemen could not commence service at less than twenty-one years of age, whereas cadets in other branches of the Public Service often commenced at seventeen and eighteen years of age. In practice, also, recruits to the force were generally a year or two in advance of twenty-one. Last session he had, supported a. Bill brought before Parliament which had reduced the term of service from forty to thirty-five years, but unfortunately the measure had not been successful. It had not been lost sight of, however, and either in or out of the force he would- continue to advocate its adoption. This was only one of the provisions of the Police Bill, hut it was undoubtedly the chief one.

At present in the force were two officers who, at the inception of the Police Provident-» Fund thirty years ago, had not been in a position to make the initial payments.' The result was that, through no fault of their own, they were at present excluded from superannuation benefits on retirement. Now that the police had recieved the increase in pay for which agitation had been made, improvements in the retiring regulations called for attention.