POLICEMEN OF THE FUTURE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 372, 29 May 1889, Page 8

POLICEMEN OF THE FUTURE.

When Gilbert wrote " A policeman's lito is not« happy one" he must have been invested with the spirit of piophecy. If over the words wore applicable to the force they will piove so to the nnt'oittinate itifin who chances to be a member of the Now Zealand Aimed Constabulary. The policeman oi : the future in this colony ih designed to differ gieatly I'iom those at preseut officiating as guardians of the pence. In a recent "Gazette' 1 it hath boon enacted that in future constables \vill lequire to qualify themselves for examination in legal knowledge. It is intended that these examinations bhall take place twice hi each year and be divided into junior and senior. The foiiner merely lakes in The Police Code, Johnson's Evidence and Justice of! the Peace togv.ther with Summaiy Convictions. These should piovo nice lighc reading for a constable when off duty. o a J The tenior examination goes beyond | this a threat deal. In tnat the successful j candidate must be ported in (he following Acts ; — Coal Mjms, 1886 ; Coroners, 18(57 ; ditto.. 1885": First < 'ffVn-leis, 1886; Gamins: and Lotteiies, 1881-85; hnpoui.d- j ivy, 1884 ; Industrial Schools, 18S5 ; Intioduction of Convicts, 1807 ; Juries, 1880; Justices of the. Pem-H, 1882-S5-S6 88; Larceny, 1881 ; Licensing, 1882 ; Lunatics, 1882; Malicious Injury, 1867; Mining, 18SG; Offences Ag.ii nst thePerson,! B67-74; Animals Piotoetion, 1884 : Penalties Recovery, 1888; Doj:s Registration, 1880; I'istilldtion, 18(58 : SJe of Poisons, 1871. That is sill lit pre&ent. The " Gazette " does not state wl-at salary the i'utqre con-i-t;ible will receive, nor whether law libraries will be established at police stations, or whether each member of the ioree is expe* ted to join the Law Society in ordpr to have the run of the Supreme Cimit Library. 000 o o o <£ O O At present it looks somewhat four id.ible to a constable at six or seven shillings a day, with one whole Sunday to himself in two months to swallow as much law as that. The "Gazette" puts in a gentle intimation that those who successfully pass these examinations will be promoted "in due course." One would suppose that was the usual course of piocedure, but this peeuis like an admission that at times men u>e not promoted according to nieiit in due course. Another incentive to policemen to go in heartily for the study of the law as required by tlie n,ew legulations, i* the fact that a successful paps will give men superior claims when vacancies occur in any out station. Just as if a man with all that !e#a] knowledge would allow his xna^t-ive intellect to be<rtmptd U) in scne country out station ! Not he ; the more likely thing would be that having parsed his law examination lie would go in for the general knowledge, md then graduate into {i banistei, This should, however, afford a field of labour foi the suceep&ful candidates at the legal examinations for banisters and solicitous. Their training should enable them to pass for pohceinun, but whether they would care for the job at 7s ji d:iy remains to be seen. — Zdiniel in Aut-khind Star.