THE POLICE FORCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9530, 30 June 1909, Page 5

THE POLICE FORCE.

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.

By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTONS June 29.

The order of reference foi the Commission set set up in consequence of the recent allegations in Parliament and outside reflecting upon the general administration and personnel of the police force has been prepared for Mr H. W Bishop, S.M., the Commissioner. He is directed to inquire into the following matters: — (1) The general organisation, control and enrolment of the police force of the Dominion as it now exists in its several branches, and the discipline and efficiency thereof, and in what respect the said force or any part thereof could be better recruited, organised, cor.trclled or made more efficient.

, (2) As to the efficiency, conduct, sobriety aw 1 morality of the members of the said force or any of them. (3) As to whether any political or

other impwper interfersnce exists in connection with the said force, and if so to what extent and

whether such interference has any influence in the administration of the said force or any of them. (4) As to the methods of promotion of members of the said force and the reasons governing the selection of members of the force for promotion. The Commissioner has to report on or before August 3ist, and it is empowered to sit at any place in the Dominion for the purposes of taking evidence on oath or otherwise, and examining documents, etc. The order of reference expressly excludes from the inquiry such matters as the recent dismissal of two police constables as a consequence of a Magisterial investigation, the terms of the reference declaring, "providing that no inquiry shall be held by yau into any matter or thinz which has already been investigated, and determined before any judicial or other lawfully constituted tribunal or where any member of the police force has been dismissed from''the service, or whoss services have been dispensed with in consequence of his misconduct or for any other reason. If any allegation or statement is made before the Commission which relates to]or affects the personal conduct of an individual member of the police force, it shall not enter upon any inquiry in respect thereof until the reason so affected has had at least 24 hours' notice in writing, giving such particulars as shall be deemed sufficient, full opportunity being afforded to any such person to "cross-examine any witness giving evidence against him, and to call any evidence m reply which he may think fit."