CRIME DETECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 224, 21 September 1929, Page 3 (Supplement)

CRIME DETECTION.

. " CLEARING SOUSI3 " PLAN. The "importance of co-operation between the uniform and detective branches of the police force, "which is essential if the investigation of crime is to be carried out successfully and expeditiously," was emphasised by Lieut.-Colonel W. D. Allan, Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland, in his report for 1928. "The fact that the investigation of a crime has been taken over by the detectives does not mean that responsibility for detection is removed from the uniform branch," he states. "In the same way cooperation must exist between different forces. This is more necessary to-day than ever before, owing to the ever-in-creasing facilities which are available to a criminal for removing "himself speedily from the focus where the crime was committed, the result being that the 'arrest of persons wanted by other forces' is of primary importance. Importance of Co-operation.. "Owing to the fact that the majority of forces are fully occupied in the management . of their own affairs, it is possible that this important duty of co-operation in effecting arrests does not receive the attention which is necessary. I think the time has oune when all important informations should be " contralised, printed and ,on the 'clearing house' system. This might be undertaken by one-of the city forces acting in cooperation with New Scotland Yard and the/"West Riding of Yorkshire." Referring to traffic control signals, with which experiments are being made, Lieut.-Colonel Allan remarks that "there seems to be a difference of opinion as to which type of signal is the best, and as to whether signals should be on the near or fa,r side of the crossing; difficulty also arises when drivers are colour-blind." He adds: "It would be helpful both to the constable on point duty and to the pedestrian if direction signals were part of the equipment of fealoon cars. Drivers do not appear to realise how difficult it is to understand their signals when given inside a closed car."