THE POLICE FORCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1919, Page 4

THE POLICE FORCE.

IMPROVING PAY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, June 27. The committee "of inquiry set up to report on certain complaints with regard to the relative status and pay of the uniformed and detective branches of the police service has presented its findings.

Dealing with the anomalies regarding rank, the committee states: They are unable to agree with the suggestion that detectives should rank with sergeants as long as they remain in the detective branch. This would mean that every detective on appointment was equal to a sergeant. The committee consider there should be equal pay for equal rank, with allowances to make up to detectives for their committee recommended that the rank of senior detective be substituted for chief detective, and that the rank of detective be fixed as equal to that of constable.

The committee further recommends that detectives be recruited from the uniform branch; that the commissioner have full power to transfer members of the force from one branch to another; that with regard to promotion seniority should be the general basis, but ability, merit, and general fitness for the position should be given tha greatest consideration.

1 Tlio comu V 1 tee agree that plain-clothes nien should be placed under the control of the chief detective, since at the present time they come into active competition with members of the detective branch.