The Police Force.

Manawatu Herald, 23 November 1895, Page 3

The Police Force.

The " Foroa " consists oi 487 of all ranks, and, so says the Report, 106 troop-horses. The* men are divided thusly :— Four firsfc-class Inspectors, in other words men who get firat-olasi pay, which is not always the same thing. Three second-class Inspectors ; three sergeant majors; twenty first-class •ergeantf, 15 second-olass and IS third-elais ; 119 first-class constables, 11$ second-class and 184 third-class. Three first-class detectives and 5 second-olasa and 2 thirdolass and 8 fourth*olass. The Commissioner of Police says " ai long as the liquor laws remain as at present, no organization could possibly successfully grapple with the question. What is required is that clause 25 of "The Imperial Licensing Act, 1872 " in toto should be on the Statute book of the Colony instead of merely the last few lines •f that clause, as at present. In spite of this we do not notioe that the Commissioner's advice has been acted on. "J stated in my last report," •gain says the Commissioner, " that to have thoroughly efficient Police Force periodical transfers from one district or station to another for all ranks is imperative, but the difficult ties in- giving efftofc to these views are almost insurmountable. Not only do constables appear to think they have a legal right to remain at a station they have been in charge of for a few years, but immediately orders are issued for a constable's transfer, the inhabitants of that subdistrict invariably at once forward a petition praying that the move may not take place. Again, the local medical man iB often of opinion that the removal as ordered will be detrimental to the constable's health, and, in, th» event of these two appeals failing to have the desired effect, j| is generally discovered that the wife of the person concerned is iavery indifferent health, and the climate to which the husband is ordered would be most unsuitable for oil wife and family. Judging bf tbt QQiff&Qtf ftyf feftt PQWi to

on the department when a move is ordered, one cannot help coming to the conclusion that the majority of the Force are married to chronic invalids. lam strongly of opinion that when once a transfer is ordered the membes of the Force should proceed as directed without delay, and, in the event of his not doing so, should sever his connection with the Force ; and I venture to think that if such a regulation was strictly enforced the casualties amongst the members of the Force, or their wives -a families, would not be any »uu — - „», nresent, greater than they are ... c whereas a considerable hardship on many who have to move because others will not would be averted."