SOWING DISCONTENT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 113, 16 May 1933, Page 7

SOWING DISCONTENT.

AGITATION IN POLICE FORCE. LONDON, May 10. The Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, Lord Trenchard, in his annual report, condemns deliberate attempts which have been made to produce discontent in the force. Hβ mentions instances of notices exhibited at police stations containing untrue and insubordinate statements "intolerable in a disciplined service." In one case a committee of constables censured a colleague for action taken in accordance ■with his duty. Lord Trenchard says that the federation and branch boards introduced to enable welfare and efficiency matters to be brought to the notice of the authorities were not intended to be used as legalised and subsidised machines for fomenting discontent and stimulating resistance to the Government's and the commissioner's decisions. Agitation against the special constables, which took the form of passive resistance in connection with instructions to specials, and also exhibitions of hostility and other unfortunate incidents during industrial disturbances, are making the position of specials decidedly uncomfortable, although the majority of police have dissociated themselves from it. Lord Trenchard condemns the private employment of police at football matches, dog-racing, theatres and on similar occasions, as being likely to detract from the efficiency of the police.