POLICE FORCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18127, 17 July 1924, Page 12

POLICE FORCE.

AN AMENDING BILL.

(6?SCUL TO "THE PfHBfS.")

WELLINGTON, July 16

A Bill to Amend the Police Forco ■Act, 1918, has been drafted. There is a definition of ''sergeant" to mean apy member of the force below the rank of sub-inspector, and abovo tho rank of constable. The power to make regulations for tho government of the force is to be deemed to include power to prescribe fines naid penalties for breaches of regulations under Section 14 of the Act. Amendments are proposed as to enquiries regarding Dreaches of duty by members of the force. Two or more persons, of v.-homi only one shall be a member cf tho force, are to enquire into charges. It the charge has been proved the Minister may recommend to the GovernorGeneral the dismissal of tho offender, or a reduction in rank, or impose a, fine of not more thaii £2O, or inflict sucii other punishment not more tcvere th»u the foregoing. Where a sergeant is charged with misconduct or neglect of duty, and ho denies the charge, the Commissioner shall direct any' superintendent or inspector to enquire as to the truth of the charge, and to report his finding to the Commissioner. If the superintendent or inspector reports to the Commissioner that the charge has been proved, the Commissioner may _ recommend to the Minister the dismissal of "the offender, or his reduction in rank, or his reduction in seniority and pay, Or impose a fine* of not more than £5. On any such recommendation the Minister may dismiss the offender from tho 'forco or reduce his rank or his seniority and pay, or refer the matter back to the Commissioner for fine of not more than £5, in which case the Gomnussioner shall impose such fine accordingly. In the exercise of the powers conferred by tliis paragraph, the Minister shall not be bound by the terms of the Commissioner's recomsave that he shall not in. any case inflict a penalty more severe than that recommended by the Commissioner. Where a constable is charged with misconduct or negloct of duty, and ho denies the charge, any superintendent or inspector may enquire as to the truth of the charge. If, as tile result of his enquiries, the superintendent or inspector finds tlie charge to be proved; he shall recommend to the Commissioner the dismissal of the offender, or hia reduction in seniority anc_ pay or impose a fine of not more than £3. On any such recommendation the Commissioner may dismiss the offender from the forco, or reduce his seniority and pay, or impose a fine of not more than £3. In the exercise of the powers conferred by this paragraph the Commissioner shall not bo bound by tho terms of the recommendation, save that he ehaU not in any case inflict a penalty more severe than that recommended by the superintendent or inspector. Section 6 of the Amending Act of 1919 ia to bs extended so as to apply to persons who voluntarily retired from the forco to join an expeditionary force (under the .Expeditionary Forces Act. 1915). Tho section referred to is the one restoring rights to members who resigned to join an expeditionary force,

Payments into superannuation funds as mentioned in Section <3, may be made within twelve months of tho passing of tho Act, or whero such payments are to be made by instalments, they may extend aver such periods not exceeding three years. There is an amendment proposed in Section 27 of the principal Act providing that where a warrant has been issued for arrest, and has not been executed, any members of the force may, without having the warrant in bis possession, arrest the persons in respect of whom the warrant is issued.