THE POLICE COMMISION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2894, 25 August 1909, Page 31

THE POLICE COMMISION.

SITTING AT NAPIER.

RAPIER, August 17. The Police Commission sat here to-day, the evidence being mainly on the lines of that given elsewhere. Constable Wilton, as spokesman for the local constables, express-sd a unanimous desire for an increase of pay. and house allowance, a free railway pass, and ex-, tended holidays. The promotion of district clerks caused dissatisfaction, and it wa« suggested that th-ey be a clerical force 1 only. I

Sergeant Smart said he thought the force compared very favourably with that of years gone by. He knew nothing of ix>litical influence. Marit should govern promotion . Sex-geant Clnlicksha.uk said ne thought tba physique and intelligence of the force v/as not up to th© old standard. He had seeai a semblance of political influence in things which he could account for in no other way.

Sergeant Folley complained of sergeants having to travel second class whilst a junior cadet of the civil service was allowed first class fare. Men should not be given the option of refusing promotion. Sergeant Hutton complained of the difference in the rates of pay allowed to feergeants (6s-) .md detectives (8e) when on special expedition'?. Commissioner Diiuiie stated that the grievance with regard to steamer fares was now being remedied. Detective Hill said that when lie came to Napier there were a lot of '• special men " here, but they had now been %veeded cut. The district had been in a bad way, but certain changes were made and things were very much "better now.

Inspector Dwyer eaid he did iiot think the rate of pay wa« sufficient to induce good men to join the force. In Saoier corporation labourers were receiving Ss a dny, which was more than that paid to constables, who, as in London, should recaive pay equal to that of mechanics. M-en joining the force should receive the i'pproval of the inspector of the district. He legarded a district clerk as the most responsible man, next to the inspector, and he did not think they or their assistants should be put ou Sunday duty. He thought, for tlie cake of the harmony of the foreo, it would be better to make district clerks a special allowance and not promote them to sergeanttships over other men. CL-auces of promotion should, be open to detectives, allowing for merit. The general conduct of the men under his

control was very good. When he cam* into the district "there- was a little trouble, but this had now been removed. Promotions should be ma-da on the recommendation of inspectors in the order of seniority. He had never heard any complaint of memos. sent to sergeants by district clerks. He thought that befoie sergeants were promoted they should be medically examined.

To Commissioner Dinnie : He believed in seniority and merit being considered in promotion.* He "knew of no general dissatisfaction regarding control in the force, and.

knew nothing of political influence. Candidates for the force were now subjected to a most searching examination. To Sergeant Folley: He did not see how the "police could, avoid some dutie« imposed on them by other departments. The healing of evidence was concluded and the commission adjourned.