THE POLICE COMMISSION

Otago Witness, Issue 2895, 8 September 1909, Page 32

THE POLICE COMMISSION

PREVALENCE OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE. AUCKLAND, August 31. < In giving evidence before tne Police Commission to-day, Mr C HL Poole, M.P., said there was no douht that \tie appeal for political influence was becoming too common in this country. From day to day politicians were approached by people with grievances requiring redress and by people looking for political favoursMr Bishop : " Is there anything in regard to general administration that you would say? Mr Poole: Yes. I realise that it is hard to get a thoroughly efficient police force. I have been looking closely into the matter of recruiting, , and it seems to me that there is a laxness here that should be abolished. A better allowance would pro* bably entice better men. We have some of the finest men in the Dominion in our force, but their work is to a certain extent discredited by the inclusion of men who are absolutely unfit for the work. Again, though some people tell me that 1 am fanatical on the point, I think that in combating the liquor traffic there is a suggestion of intimidation. Some are not afraid, but with others there is a shearing of law and a neglect of duty. The recent outbreaks in Wellington caused quite an amount of consternation amongst the legislators. Take Constable Donovan's case. Because he tried to enforce the law in Oonomandel he had to suffer severely. Constable Dinni's is another ease. They endeavoured to grapple with the liquor traffic in Ooroxnandel and MeTcury Bay, and they feel that it is because of this tha-t they have never received promotion. I think that the commissioner should realise that a good dead of influence is Uc-sd in this direction. Mr Pcole said another point was that, with all due regard to Mr Kettle, the detectives, who were man hunters, and the police, who "were sent to hunt oriminaLs, must not be censured when they had to " play the game" to trap men who were breaking the laws in a sly and secret way. They would have to offer a higher monetary consideration, and protect the men from intiinida.tion. Mr Bishop : You are aware that the right class of young man is not coming forward to enrol? — Yes. I think there has ■ been some kxness in the r-e-cru.iti.ng, and there is need for better monetary inducements being offered. , Mr Bishop: How would you go about offering those inducements?— lt is easier to get recruits at certain times than at other times. Jf-or instance, during times of commercial depression there is a greater chance of getting men irio the force. Again, I think that there shoal'd be no need to go to Wellington to become enrolled. Provision should be made for recruiting in Auckland' and other centres. Mr Bishop: "What about the education test? As long as the mon-Eitaxy iiiiducem&n+s are suthcient I do not think tho fifth sbanicaird a vorv bier hur>d}.->. Arothor point is the instinctive dislike of the young men of New Zealand to any form ofdiscipline. They lake freedom. The same applies to our Volunteer system. Another inducement would be the removal of Intimidating influences. If a man does l duty he is sure to run up against a tough proposition, and he should be protected by his department. Mr Bishop : In what way ?— Political influence is rife all through the country. Every department should have the support of ths Crown in guarding its officers against it. Mr Bishop : You must know that come members of Parliament encourage that sort of thing? — Yes, I know that; but I think we should improve the general tone and do all we can to remedy the evil. Mr Dinnie : Do you think the Commissioner of Police should be free of all influence? — I do. Mr Dinnie : If a constable comes and makes a complaint to you that he has beer passed over, or has some other grievance, what would you do ? — I would simply send his letter to tho Minister. I have occasionally done that for men in different department's. Mr 'Dinnie: You always got a reply? — Yes. They wera not always favourable. Sometimes they were evasive, but a Ministerial reply, if not favourable, is never calculated to give an aching heart. They have a courteous way of putting things. Mr Dinnie : Do you think that applicants have the idea that unfair methods obtain in the department ? — I must say irregularities have taken place which look like unfair methods. Mr Dinnie : In what way ? — Well, in the matter of promotions thero are men who seem to have been unfairly passed over. Mr Dinnie : "Do you know cf any case where political influence ha, obtained? — Yes, I do ; but I am bound in confidence not to dkcloee the information. Mr Dinnie : Will you admit Mr Bishop to that confidence?— Yes, I will do so at the end of the commission. Mr Dinnie : You complain of laxness in recruiting? — Yes. I think men have got through who should never have been accepted. I know it is possible to beat the ingenuity of the police officials at timc-a. For instance, I know of a case in which a man was employed in another department to go round and put telephones in people's houses. That man got into the force by false pretences after serving 12 years in pri'Mn on. different chartrcs, and he ie now locked up as an habitual criminal. Mr Pcole went on to say that he thought the police of Auckland were a very fine body of men, but he did not want to think that the efficiency of the majority would in any way be impaired by .the inefficiency of the minority. That was what ha wa.s aiming at in his remarks tibmit intimidation. There was a danger that influence of this kind was going to s-mlouslj interfere with the efficiency of the forc~. A poilceir.an should be so protected that he could do his duty without fear. Mr Bishop: Do you say that rho fear or that influence now operate.- ?— Y-:s. That fear doe<3 exist, and I want to be one of those who will bring about the required emancipation. J. Cullen, part proprietor of a spoiling newtna-nar. comaLajned of favouritism hav-

ing been shown by tihe police in regard to a prosecution for publishing certain advertisements. He also alleged that the police harassed ex-prisoners in their employment, and he asserted that certain constables had been found guilty of drunkenness on their beats, and that there had been a- differentiation in the punishment of such offenders. Mr Dinnie stated that every man charged with drunkenness was dealt with according to the merits of the case. September 1. At this morning's sitting Sergeant Treanoar said that he had worked under seveD commissioners, and Mr Dinnie was as capable as any and a great deal better than most of those who had been at the head 1 of the department. Chief Detective Marsaek expressed the opinion that many good men were prevented from entering the force because they didn't possess a Fifth Standard certificate. He held that the police, with the emoluments they receive, were better off than the detectives, and gave ar. .emphatic contradiction to the allegations that the police harassed discharged prisoners striving to earn ap honest living. He stated that the man alleged to have committed suicide for this reason was wanted by ' the police, a warrant being out for his arrest. September 2. At this morning's sitting Sub-inspector Hendry and Sergeant Sheehan (recalled by Mr Dinnie), questioned in respect to their statements regarding "handy men," both stated that they did not foi a moment think the Commissioner instigated such inquiries or was aware of the existence of such men. Mr Bishop said he would regai-d it as likely that he~ would deal on a severe plan | with the discipline of the force here if it was correct, as stated, that two men were using their positions to convey infor- I mation- to the head office. Personally, he did not rhink for a moment that' Mr Dinnie would allow that, but if the report was true j the two clerks referred to must have done, this for their own benefit, or for the ad- j vantage of someone else. So far, however, j he had heard only a repetition of rumours. There was no reflection upon Mr Dinnie. Inspector Cullen said tiyree .months .in a.j depot was quite enough for ne^. men. j There was need for more practical instruction and less law in the d*,pot." 'There were many fine men in the Auckland Force, but too large a proportion *of undesirables. Rather too much was made of the clerical department. The mer of that department should not He left too long in the office after they were appointed. Sergeant clerks were inclined to put on airs and paFroniae uniform sergeants He had known one clerk who wanted to look patronisingly upon his inspector. A sergeant should pass an examination in practical police work, discipline, and th© law bearing thereon after he had been recommended by an -inspector. The same apply to promotions in the detective force. A medical examination should be necessary before promotion was made. He did not think there should bo so many transfers, especially among young men at t.aeir own request. Regarding defaulters, it would bo better to let them remain in tho . district in which they had defaulted.' Mr' Bishop: What i« your opinion about the falling off in recruiting? — Inspector Cullen : II 11I 1 think an increase in the pay will have a good effect. Another point is that many young men do not realise the attractions of the force, for there are undoubted attractions. There is no man more looked up to or respected .than the country constable, who is provided with a good house and has many advantages. Mr Bishop : Do you think an increase of pay from 7s 6d to 8s will cause- more applicants to come forward? — Yes, I think so. Have you any opinion about the standard of educaton?— The Fifth Standard is not ! too high, but I tlhink there- should be more laxity in regard to a man's Jiterary qualifications. Where a man shows 'that he is keen and practical he should not be thrown out because of lack of education. I Mr Bishop : Yes, I know several men who are constables, and I doubt if they can spell some, words of three or four letters. Inspector Cullen : Another thing is that I 'lo not think there is a need for maintaining a heiglit of sft 9in. Men of sft Bin with a normal ohest expansion, of 38in are just as good. Mr Bishop : Do you think the station sergeants have justified their creation? — Yes, I do ; and if the work goes on mounting up we will need two station sergeants here. Mr Bishop: You seem to have had an abnormal amount of drunkenness here? — Yea, more in the last 12 months than in the previous three years. To what do you attribute that? — The men must come into the force with ..he desire for liquor. A good many of the eases wore amongst men fnom South Africa and elsewhere. Very f<nv are young New Zea-landea-s. Are there special temptations in. Auckland? — Well, Auckland is a big place, and there is always more temptation in a big town. A man may get on friendly terms with barmaids and bring liquor home with him. You have had cases of bringing liquor into the barracks? — Oh, yes. You could not go upstairs at one time without stu ling over bottles in the passage. Sometimes them would be a dozen and a-half empty bottles brought down next morning. And was that free liquor? — The inference i« tiiat the men rceived it gratuitously. We set a vralcb, and found it on the persons of two young men. Their excuse was that friends had given it to them in the streets. What was done with them? — They were both called upon to resign. Is that kind of thing now stamped out? — Yes, pretty well, though I still think a little of it goes on. However, speaking of the men generally. I mutt say I think ihat they are very good constables and a fine body of men. Inspector Cullen went on to fay that he thoue-hl the Dominion should be divided i.nto^four divisions under the control of four divisional superintendents, who would control the intpectors and sub-inspectors in th^ir disu ict*. It would only be necessaiy to na\-s sub-inspectors at Napier, Wang-anui. Palmci-ton North. Timaru, Greymouth, and Invevrargill. Referring to recent promotions in the Commissioner's office, Inspector Cullen fca'ti discontent had been created by those apjxjintinent*. On beng questioned by Mr Bishop as to whether any attempts had been made to bring political influence to bear, Inspector Cullen said that when he was first at Auckland he .was waited upon and asked to do a ; great many things outside of the o»dir<vf

course, but a3 he never did these things t'hes^ people had ceased to trouble him. He could not remember the particulars of a case in which Mr Kettle, S.M., was stated to have directed that a man should be prosecuted for perjury, but in which the warTant was not issued for a month, with the result that the maai got clear away from the -country. He believed that the case had! been referred to the Crown- Solicitor, bufc he could not remember exaotly, as the file of papers was now away from Auckland. The commission has concluded its Auckland sittings. The next sitting will be at Rotorua on Monday. ROTORUA, September 6. At the sitting of the Police Commission to-day, Constable Skinner, of Tauranga, urged the appointment of instructors of physical culture. Constable Wilcocks, of Whakatan«, complained of the unfair distribution of the reward granted for the arrest of Ellis, the murderer. Sergeant Watt gave evidence of the general efficiency of the police in the district. Constable O'Reilly, of Opotiki, wished to know, when the general efficiency of the force was admitted, wihy he was not promoted. G. Menzies, district road engineer, drew attention to the manner in which inquiries were made regarding applicants for positions in the force. He considered the method not one which commended itself. The sittings of the commission closed ehortly after noon.