Police Reports

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 330, 16 April 1928, Page 11

Police Reports

FAIRNESS QUESTIONED

CONSTABLES AS PROBATION OFFICERS

“It would be wise if the Police Department were separated from the Probation Department, but as it is we might have expected a bad report,” said Mr. J. J. Sullivan in the Supreme Court this morning, when criticising the system of police officers acting as probation officers. His remarks were challenged by Mr. V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, and Mr. Justice Blair. Mr. Sullivan was dealing with a report that had been handed in from, the police at Whakatane, concerning the case of Charles Barclay Dewar, who later received a total sentence of. four years for breaking, entering and theft, and he pointed out that it would have been wise if a probation officer had made the report. At this stage Mr. Meredith said he would object to any remarks being made about the police.

“It is not advisable," said his Honour. “You cannot suggest that -a probation officer should be appointed in. these small districts when the police can handle the work.” “There is not one word in that report that the prisoner’s wife is in a

mental hospital, or that he maintained her and his daughter,” se% Mr. Sullivan. “It says he is a man ox bad character, is fond of drink, and that he had an iron bar with which he threatened to kill anyone who came near him. My client objects to that as being untrue.” Mr. Meredith said it was ridiculous to suggest that a probation officer should be appointed to the smaller districts when competent officers did the work. There had never been a. complaint, and the work had always been carried out satisfactorily. The police stated that ..Dewar was not a good character, and although he had not been previously convicted, that did not follow that he bore a good name. He was a man of distinct criminal tendencies. Safe-blowing was a serious crime, and he had made two attempts, one of which was on a safe that contained over £2,000. This was not a successful attempt.

His Honour stated that from his experience he had always found the police reports to be fail', and the police who acted as probation officers had been imbued with the keenest sense of what was right or wrong. “Tlie district is to be congratulated upon the selection of such police probation officers, all of whom have the highest ideals,” he added. “I do” not propose to visit anything on the prisoner Tor an attack that was not justified.”