THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 206, 5 October 1909, Page 2

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

COMMISSIONER ON HIS DEFENCE. TeleflfHpn.—Press Association. "Wellington, October 4. (Jiving evidence before the Police Commission to-day, Commissioner Dinnie referred in detail to his police service before coming to New Zealand. It was gratifying to him to be able to say at the end of such a searching inquiry as was now concluding that the evidence and records showed the force was highly efficient and well disciplined, and that the general conduct, sobriety a r iM morality of the men was very good, Hi considered the police force in New Zealand compared most favorably with the police forces of other countries, and he was satisfied that no police force of similar dimensions or Government department would emerge from such *n inquiry as stainless as the New Zealand force had.

Hp distinctly affirmed that every allegation made liy Mr. Arnold, J1.1'., and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., was either grotesquely exaggerated or absolutely baseless. Regarding the statement, rftit sufl'ieient inquiry was not malic into the character and antecedents of men who recently joined the force, witness said the evidence given showed that inquiries' were never so strict and complete as they arc now, and it had alio been proved that there was no general dissatisfaction in the force. In every service there was always a certain amount of discontent in respect of promotion that conhl not be avoided, and if there was any undercurrent of dissatisfaction il only existed amongst a few agitators.

After referring ill detail to the statements nialle l)v Messfs, Arnold an;l Taylor, Commissioner Dinnic said it could not lie denied, in faet there was ample proof from departmental files, tint influence political and otherwise was frequently sought by members of the service, and the mere fad that mcmbc-s of Parliament and influential persons apparently did not discourage members of the force from seeking influence had had an effect on discipline. It was clear from the evidence that many members) of the service believed that influence obtained in. the department, and this fact alone caused Missatisfactio 1. lie emphatically declared that in no did he know that influence had obtained or had an effect in either scouring appointments to the police service, transfers, advancement of any kind, or promotion.

THie system of .recruiting could scarcely be improved upon. On March 31 the strength of the force was 771, bein« an increase of 37 during the year. " He proposed to designate station s'ergeants senior sergeants, and to increase the number by placing senior sergeants :u charge of each of the most important sub-stations. Vacancies in the comniis atoned ranks would in future be filled from amongst senior sergeants or chief detectives. He f.lid not approve of the suggestion that chief detectives shou'd rank as sub-inspectors. For the year ended August, 1000, 1175 men applied for admission. Of the total number 303 were appointed and 005 were rejected for the following i reasons:—Poor physique 202, insufT-1 eient. education 170. misatisiactorv I character 113, over age 120. ' I