THE POLICE COMMISSION

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 37

THE POLICE COMMISSION

WAXGANUI SITTING.

WAXGANUI, August 13. The Police Commission sat here this morning.

Sergeant Burke, -who had been in the force since 1877, said he had no complaint to make, but he understood there was a fair amount of dissatisfaction in the foTce regarding promotions, it being alleged that junior and inferior men were promoted over the heads of seniots who had better qualifications for pi'omotion. Witness was 40 when he was promoted. He considered 50 years of age the proper maximum for men to be promoted to be sergeants in a city. He did not consider a term of probation in the streets a necessity before appointing a man to the charge of a country town. He knew Constable Leahy, of Canterbury, and considered him capable of taking any position in the force. He did not think a man should have the right to refuse promotion or transfer. No man before Commissioner Dinnie's time was offered promotion, but was simply told where har was to go. He believed in six months' probation for all recruits. He knew of at least one waster in the force who should never have been taken on. The Fifth Standard test was too high, as it excluded a great many good men. Heconsidered 'the pay on joining was the cause of the lack of recruits, and he thoxight all men should be eligible fot promotion to' the highest branches. H< did not favour detectives being placed iiX a special grade. In answer to Commis* sioner Dinuie, witness said he knew cases where political influence was brought lo( 'bear, and he gave the name of a man who invoked the aid of members of Parliament. There should be a board ta consider all promotions. He believecf seniority, and merit should be considered! together, and not seniority alone. Constable Bree", speaking for the local constables, said he thought men should receive a minimum of Bs, and a maximum of 10s a day with a house allowance to married men of 7s 6d to 10s week), free boots and uniforms, and annual leave of 21 days. He considered he had a. claim for promotion, having joined tha force in 1880.

Detective Siddells said many men wera being passed over, and less worthy men promoted. There was no means of getting rid of useless men. So long as they behaved themselves they were kept on in tha force. A probation term would remedy that. He considered he took a downward step when he became a detective. He did so because he saw no chance of promotion in the police. The inspectors/ recommendations for promtion were often nob acted upon. He believed inspectors became unconsciously biassed. Even with an appeal board dissatisfaction would exist.

Sergeant Haddrell, in charge of New Plymouth, spoke of discontent over promotions. The pay was too low to attract, recruit*. The Fifth Standard test was not too high. The force was as efficient as it had ever been.

Inspector Wilson said a constable's pay was too low, and so was the house allowance. Discipline was not so good now as it was 10 years ago. The conditions of colonial life were not conducive to strict' discipline. Detectives should stand on tho 6ame grounds as sergeants. In reply to a' question, he said the promotion and transfer ol Detective Quirke from Palmerston to Wellington was- ordered, but on a petition being received from the member for the district and some leading residents it was held over, and the_ detective was still at Palmerston. Men should be pro.noted without being first asked. The commissioner, in witness's opinion, did not have a free hand, and should be responsible only to Parliament. PALMERSTON N., August 14. The Police Commission sat here to-day.

Sergeant Stagpoole, in his evidence, said that the chief cause of complaint amongst the men was their pay, which was too small. He advocated the men being subjected to -a course of athletic training, including, boxing. He had no knowledge Of any political interference, though he had heard a great deal of talk on the matter. He complained that hs> had teen 22 or 23 years as sergeant, and had held responsible positions, yet junior men had been promoted over him. He was very sore over this. To Mr Dinnie : He thought a probationers' class was useless. The men who came to him from it were ignorant, though they thought they knew a lot. Sergeant Bowden, of Feilding, was dissatisfied because- Sub-inspector Black was promoted over, his head. The district clerks were the cause of a lot of dissatisfaction. They dictated impertinently to their seniors.

Constables Wood, Russell, and M'Leod gave evidence on general lines as to their pay. Constable Crozier, now retired, complained that he had not been paid his lodging allowance. Mr Dinnie pointed out that the witness had not called attention to the stoppago of the allowance.

Albert Graham, farmer, of Apiti, faaid he had applied for admission to the force, and notwithstanding a number of references he was told the application could 1 not be entertained.

Mr Dinnie eaid he took no notice of references, but made his own inquiries. The Commissioner said the commission! could not be ussed to whitewash people. 'Sub-inspector O'Donovan advocated higher pay, and thought a Fourth Standard education sufficient. He thought, in' the matter of promotion, that Mr Dumie should have the advice of inspectors; in. fact, there should be a board of four inspectors to deal with promotions to sergeants. No man should be promoted toi be sergeant after he had reached 45 years of age. The commission then adjourned