THE POLICE FORCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8343, 1 February 1913, Page 5

THE POLICE FORCE

CHARACTER OF APPLICANTS. STATEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER. In consequence of th© arrest of a police constable for alleged breaking, entering, and theft from shops in the city, a certain amount of curiosity has been aroused in regard to the methods adopted by the department for ensuring that applicants for positions in the police force are men of good character and antecedents. Questioned on tho subject by a “Times” reporter yesterday, Mr John Cullen. Commissioner of Police, stated that Remmers, who was now undergoing trial, came from the police force of the City of London, a very select body recruited only from the best branches of the police service in Great Britain. The City authorities required a high standard of character from applicants, and members of this force were all six feet or over in height. They were better men physically, socially and educationally than the London Metropolitan of any other county police in England; and altogether they numbered about 1200 men. It was this force which controlled traffic; in the busy quarters of tho City of London, area—within Temple Bar, and round tho Royal Exchange. Remmers had served three or four years in this select force; then he resigned, and on leaying was given a very good character from the authorities. Ho came to Now 'Zealand, and applied for admission in tho local, force. With applicants who have served elsewhere, the invariable practice of the department was to communicate with tho head of the force whence the man had come, stating that tho newcomer had applied for an appointment, and asking tho authorities to be good enough to furnish tho department here with all information regarding tho character and antecedents of the applicant, together with the way ho performed his duties. This mado assurance-doubly sure, and the rule was followed in tho case of Bemraors. A reply came back, giving Remmers a very high character, and repeating the former excellent credentials. It also stated that his character and antecedents before joining the force in England were thoroughly inquired into, and found to bo highly satisfactory. The Commissioner added that previous applicants had been refused posi- ' tions because their papers were doubtful or otherwise unsatisfactory. However, in a large body of men, it was impossible to guarantee that everyone should have tho high character demanded. Several Liverpool policemen, hitherto having excellent characters, had lately been concerned in a series of burglaries, and similar incidents were not unknown to Scotland Yard. Before Remmers joined the police force in England he was a cycle mechanic, and had also studied at- an art school, so that his education, address, and general fitness appeared to be superior to tbe average. Every effort was made by tbe department to satisfy itself that members of the police force bore tho highest character.