WORK ON WHARVES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 270, 13 November 1943, Page 6

WORK ON WHARVES

REASON FOR POLICE BAN ——————- J COMMISSIONERS REFUSAL In his replies to Auckland policemen and detectives who sought permission to engage in work on the wharves and in sheds during their periods of off duty, Mr. D. J. Cummings, Commissioner of Police, gives his reasons for refusing such requests. To the constables, the Commissioner, who regretted he could not grant permission, said he had instances before him of men coming off duty at 9 p.m. and 10.30 p.m., working for the United States Joint Purchasing Board until 6 and 7 a.m., and then reporting for duty at 9 a.m. Men on night duty worked in stores during the day, and men on day duty worked during the night, and in consequence their efficiency was greatly impaired. Mr. Cummings said the Department expected its members to give their best service to the State. It was obvious that, if the practice of engaging in outside work were permitted to continue, the public interest would suffer through the inability of policemen to continue that degree of efficiency expected and hitherto prevailing in their- proper function of preventing and detecting crime. Detectives should devote their time to the service of the State which paid them, he added. There was a disproportionate amount of undetected crime in Auckland, and detectives should concentrate on apprehending safe-blowers and other criminals. Outside work did not make.for efficiency. Men who applied for permission to accept casual work during their annual leave were told that leave was a period of relaxation. Men who worked during leave would come back tired, instead of refreshed.