WORK OUTSIDE FORCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 17 November 1943, Page 6

WORK OUTSIDE FORCE

CASE OF POLICEMEN

QUESTION OF THE RAN (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. Questioned whether there was power under the Police Force Act for regulations governing the spare time employment of policemen and for the control of their wives engaged in essential industry, Mr. J. Meltzer, general secretary of the New Zealand Police Force Association, said it was a matter that was being considered by the association. If the regulation was valid the country would be deprived of the valuable services of these men at a time when they were desperately needed. "It is argued." he said, "that it would be resonable for police officers when off duty, or on leave, to have freedom from official restraint and be permitted to live their lives as they wish, subject only to the possibility of their being called back to duty at any time in case of emergency."

With regard to wives, he said the public should be concerned to see the conflict between the manpower authorities and the Commissioner of Police clarified as well as the general question of a police officer being entitled to do as he chose in his own private time.