POLICE FORCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8351, 11 February 1913, Page 10

POLICE FORCE

NEW REGULATIONS ’ ADMINISTRATION AND DISC liLINE. INTERVIEW AVTTH MINISTER </. JUSTICE. A supplementary “Gazette” to U issued to-day announces the revocation of existing police regulations, and their substitution by others which introduce many important changes in the organisation and control oi the force, interviewed by a “Times” representative yesterday, the Minister oi Justice (Hon. A. L. Hcrdman) outlined the new regulations and made the following statement: “In consequence of the work ol the session, and because the industrial troubles in the north necessitated the absence of the Commissioner of Police from ’Wellington, the completion of the Police Regulations has been delay-, ed. The regulations under which tlie force has been working were made twenty-six years ago. They have been altered and added to Irom time to time since. Mr Bishop pointed out in liis report to his Excellency the Governor that many of the old regulations are entirely ‘obsolete, useless and ineffective, and in some instances absurd as applied to the present day.’ "The new regulations are an attempt to compile a set of rules for the administration of the police force which will compare favourably with other up-to-date systems. CONSTITUTION. “Under the heading ‘Constitution of the Force,’ the rank of superintendent, which existed over thirty years ago, is revived so as to bring the force into line, iir its higher ranks, with the police forces yt the United Kingdom and the Australian States. The duties of the various ranks are so fully sot forth in the new regulations that each member of the force should find no difficulty in understanding what his duties are. Inspectors in charge at the four centres are to be designated superintendents. ANNUAL REPORT. “Detailed instructions are provided regarding the matter to be included by officers in charge of districts in their annual report to the Commis-. sioner. Such report is to include references to alterations in the strength of the force and upon the conduct of members during the year, the opening or closing of stations, the increase or decrease in offences, remarks as to the working of new legislation, and recommendations as to any necessary altera-, tion in the law. BARRACKS. “The rules relating to barracks deal with a number of matters that were not touched upon in the old regulations. The use or keeping of intoxicating liquor in barracks is prohibited, is also is gambling and abusive or ihreatening language. The duties of constables acting as orderlies are defined, and regulations have also been framed dealing wdth the management and upkeep of the billiard-room, library, and gymnasium attached to tho barracks. , , “The duties of members of the force on beat duty have now been more fully defined. BICYCLES. "Provision is made for an allowance being granted to members of the police force who can advantageously use their bicycles in the execution of then duty. CLERICAL STAFF. “Constables of over four years’ service, with good educational qualifications, may be selected for clerical duty in inspectors’ offices. They must wear the proper uniform during their hours of duty, and attend all monthly and special parades. No one is to be allowed to remain at clerical work for longer than four years without the Commissioner’s approval, and in future no clerical allowance will bo paid. The allowance being paid to members of the force at present drawing it will, of course, be continued. No tergeant who has been employed at siencal duty shall be given charge of a Ration until after he has served at least a year on sectional duty after Leaving tho office. These new rules relating to clerical duty have been made with the object of giving an opportunity to as many as possible of the wellconducted, zealous, and intelligent sergeants and constables, to gain clerical experience in a district office, so that they may be well qualified to supervise tho office work in their districts when they attain to the higher ranks of the force and get charge of a district. “ The instructions dealing with the departmental correspondence contain much more detail matter than did tho old ones. CRIME! REPORTS. “Detailed instructions are provided dealing with tho action to be taken by members of the force when cases of crime come under their notice or are reported to them. “The qualifications required for candidates for enrolment in the force are fully set out, and rules prescribed governing their duties and conduct while in the training depot. DETECTIVE STAFF. “ Provision is made for vacancies in tho detective branch being; filled by tho selection of constables of over four years’ service, of exemplary conduct and possessed of superior intelligence, and who havo displayed tact, judgment, and energy in carrying out their duties. They must serve on probation for six months, after which they will bo permanently detailed for plainclothes duty if found suitable. After three years’ service as plain-clothes constables, they shall be appointed detectives, provided they have completed eight years’ service in the force and have carried out their duties as plainclothes constables satisfactorily. A chief detective is to rank as a senior oergeant, and a detective sergeant as a sergeant. Before being promoted to the rank of detective-sergeant a detective must pass the examination qualifying uniform constables for promotion to the rank of sergeant, and, similarly, detective-sergeants and chief detectives must pass the examinations prescribed for sergeants and senior sergeants respectively before being eligible for promotion. DISTRICT CONSTABLES. “ Provision is made for the appointment of district constables at places where there is not sufficient work to warrant a regular member of the force being stationed. Their duties and responsibilities shall bo similar to those of regular constables, but they may engage in business or accept employment outside 'the department when not occupied with police duty. DRILL. “At city stations, sergeants and constables are to be drilled for one hour

■rich month in elementary movements foot so as to enable bodies of police Hi movo in concert wiien. required a smart military manner. FUEL AND LIGHT. •• An allowance of fuel is to be made tor iircs required in offices, watch•houses, etc., and also for kitchen use : v.-iore messes are established. Lightis to be provided for offices and watchhousos at places where more than u .o man is stationed, hut is not to be allowed for quarters occupied by mar- : led members oi the lorco. HOUSE ALLOWANCES. ■■ House allowances are granted to a,I members of the force who are not provided with quarters. A married ii.an living in barracks shall not b 6 granted uu allowance, except in special 'circumstances where lie is supporting a wife and family, and is unable to re- • movo them to the place where he is 'Stationed. INFLUENCE.' “ Tho us© of influence by members of tho force and their friends is strictly forbidden, and a warning is given 'teat any efforts made in that direction by a member of the force may bring about his dismissal. Attempts aro constantly made by members of tho force To gain promotion or some other advantage by bringing pressure to bear through members of Parliament and others. It may as well bo clearly understood that a determined effort will La made to stop this mischievous practice. » INSTRUCTION CLASSES. “ Weekly classes, to bo conducted by a sub-inspector or senior sergeant, are to be held at the four centres for tho instruction of junior members of tho force in the Police Regulations and 'statutes bearing upon police duties and practical police work. LEAVE. “ The old regulations allowed men twelve days leave per annum, which might ho allowed to accumulate for throe years, thus enabling a man to havo thirty-six days’ leave at the end of three years. The new regulations provide for fifteen days’ leave each year, or forty-live days if allowed to accumulate for three years. Leave to commissioned officers must be approved by the Commissioner, and leave to subordinate members of the force may be granted by the superintendent or inspector. Members of the force on leave must not leave New Zealand without the permission of the Commissioner. Leave of absence without pay may be granted in special circumstances. Sunday leave may be given to those who are on day duty whenever they can be spared, and such leave is to be equally apportioned, and will not count against annual leave. Members of the force retiring on pension may receive three months’ leave of absence on full pay prior to retirement. MATRONS. “Matrons are appointed at each of the large city stations to take charge of all female prisoners. Their other duties are also defined. MONEY. “Members of the force are prohibited, on pain of dismissal, from borrowing or accepting money or property from any other member of junior grade, or otherwise making use of him as a means to borrow or procure money, or inducing him to become security for a loan or debt. A junior member is also prohibited from lending money to a superior, or from becoming security for him in any way. Any policeman who borrows money from, or places himself under a pecuniary or other obligation to, a person interested in the liquor trade, renders himself liable to dismissal. Obtaining receipts before payment, or accepting signatures to blank receipt forms, is strictly forbidden. MOUNTED CONSTABLES. ‘.‘Mounted constables shall be selected from the foot police as vacancies occur. They must be smart, well-drilled men of good appearance, experienced in police duties, and able to frame an intelligent report. NATIVE CONSTABLES. “Native constables are appointed to assist the regular police in districts where natives are numerous. They shall act under tho instructions of the officer in charge of the station to which they are attached, and conform generally to the regulations for district constables. OFFENCES AND PUNISHMENTS. “Formerly, the disciplinary offences with which a member of the force might bo charged were but vaguely deifined. In the now regulations, no less than forty-eight offences with which a ■member of the force may be charged ■are specified. The punishments prescribed include dismissal or discharge from the service, reduction in rank, or a fine not exceeding one pound. Provision is made for an aggrieved member of the force to appeal to a higher police officer or to the Minister of Justice. “Tho Police Gazette is published weekly at Wellington, and full instructions are framed for the compilation of matter to be inserted therein. “A police store is established at Wellington for the purchase and issue of uniforms, clothing, equipment, etc.*, for (the police force. PRISONERS AND TREATMENT. “The treatment and escort of prisoners is fully dealt with. They are to be humanely treated, and every care is ito be taken of persons of advanced age, .or in feeble health, or of weak intellect, while in custody. Every facility 'is to bo given for prisoners to obtain bail, or communicate with their friends or with a solicitor. They are also to be given every opportunity to summon ! any witnesses for their defence if they (desire to do so. PROMOTION. “In the old regulations the only qualification required of a constable for Eromotion to a higher rank was that e should be able to frame and write a report with facility, and keep accounts correctly. Tho new regulations provide that no constable shall be pro-, meted until he has passed a.simple test in English, arithmetic, 'geography, questions on general police and detective duties, knowledge of the elementary principles of tho law of evidence and of the Police Force Act and Regulations, as well as the principal statutes which bear on police matters. It is also provided that constables to bo eligible for promotion must bo under fifty years of age, and must pass a medical examination for physical fitness. Sergeants and senior sergeants, before being promoted to higher ranks, must also pass a similar qualifying examination to that specified for constables, but of a more difficult nature. The examinations will be held in September of each year. In addition to I passing the examination, candidates for promotion must be of strictly sober habits, and be efficient and trustworthy (members of the force. _ No one who has (been fined for serious misconduct ■against discipline or neglect of duty within the last two years of his service, or who has been fined for intoxication within the last five years shall be promoted. Similar regulations, necessitating the passing of simple tests of in-

diligence before promotion can be jained, are in force m New South « ales, V ictoria, Queensland and in parts of Great Britain. A regulation provides that if a man feels aggrieved at not having .been recommended for promotion, he may appeal to the Commissioner to have his claim investigated, and the Commissioner may then apipmnl a court, of inquiry consisting of k superintendent and an inspector belonging to another district to investigate the claim and to report the result. “The regulations dealin" with the duty of saluting persons entitled to that mark of respect have been amplified and brought up to date. SICKNESS. “Members of tho force unfit for duty •through illness, must notify the officer in charge of the station, and where a ■police surgeon is appointed, they shall bo attended to and get their medicine free of charge, but a deduction of one shilling a day will be made from their pay while on the sick list. Where there is no police surgeon the police must provide themselves with medical attendance and medicines at their own expense. Where illness or incapacity ins caused by -in furies received in -the execution of duty, medical expenses will be borne by trie department. SURGEONS. Police surgeons are appointed at the four centres to attend to members of the force in the city and suburban stations, to examine candidates for the force as to their physical fitness, and to examine and report upon tho condition of any member of the force who may be sent to him for that purpose. A member'’of the force dissatisfied with a surgeon’s treatment, and wishing to employ another medical practitioner at his own expense, must obtain permission to do so and report his reasons for his dissatisfaction. TRADE. “No member of the force is permitted to derive any benefit from any contract entered into on behalf of the department, or to accept anw discount or ,other benefit in connection with the ex■penditure of public money. TRAVELLING ALLOWANCES. “The scale of travelling allowances payable to police travelling on duty is as follows: Commissioner, 16s a day; other commissioned officers, 12s fid; non-commisrione d officers, 10s; detectives and acting-detectives, 9s; constables, 8s per day. When on relieving or temporary duty for defined periods exceeding a week, constables are allowed 4s a day, and sergeants and detectives ss. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and detectives travel first class, and constables second class, by rail or steamer. UNIFORM. “The uniform and equipment of officers are to be strictly in accordance with instructions issued from time to time by tho Minister of Justice. Officers below the rank of superintendent must wear uniform when on duty be tween 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily, except Sunday. Sergeants and constables are to wear blue or white helmets according to season, blue tweed frock with patch pockets, . and blue tweed trousers. Senior sergeants shall wear a distinguishing badge of a silver crown on the right sleeve, and sergeants shall wear chevrons of three .bars. Numbers are to be worn by sergeants and constables on each side of the collars of their frocks and overcoats, instead of on the shako or helmet as previously. WATCHHOUSES. “The duties of watchhousekeepers, and the treatment of prisoners while under their custody, ar© exhaustively dealt with. Detailed instructions are prescribed for the searching of prisoners and the custody and safeguarding of their property. Prisoners suffering from any injury or illness must be provided with medical attention when necessary. Prisoners are to be classified as much as possible, thus those charged with drunkenness, minor offences, and serious crimes being kept separated from each other. Mental defectives ar© to be kept in a padded cell where thore is one. Young persons are to be kept separate from- adults. WRECKAGE. “The police are to report promptly the finding of any wreckage and take steps to secure same. Where lives are lost in wrecks, the police must take steps to recover bodies and secure property. Survivors from wrecks must be rendered every assistance, and if necessary supplied with food and clothing. “It may be found necessary later on to add to these rules or to vary them, but I expect experience of their working will show that the regulations as they stand are quite a satisfactory piece of administrative machinery, and that they havo helped in no small way to make the police force of New Zealand an efficient, well-disciplined and contented body of men.