POLICE FORCE TO BE OVERHAULED.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20420, 15 December 1931, Page 17

POLICE FORCE TO BE OVERHAULED.

TROUBLE IN SYDNEY. SENSATIONAL CHARGES. (mom oua own correspondent.) SYDNEY, December 3. Sensation has followed sensation as far as the New South Wales Police Force -is concerned, and it is evident that the authorities have decided on a general ciean-up. For some time rumours have been circulating that all was not well, and these culminated a week ago when it was announced that an enquiry was Ijeing held irjto a charge made against two constables that they had been collecting a levy on women of doubtful character in the Darlinghurst district, 'llie result of that enquiry has never been made public, but no sooner was it over than a police constable was arrested on a charge of theft from a city store. Another constable alleged to have been associated with the crime has since been charged. It is believed that the robbery took place at night while the two constables were on patrol. Both had been allotted different blocks, and the fact that they were both together in one spot has involved higher officials whose duty it is to see that the constables give proper attention to their beats. It is known that at least two sergeants have been suspended., and it is r>ow stated that at least one inspector has been summoned to appear before his superiors and explain his alleged neglect of duty.' Altogether at least 12 constables are involved in charges of various natures, some of them serious and some involving merely a failure to perform properly their duties. Ali the enquiries are held behind closed doors. Ifc has been suggested in the past that the discipline within the force has been too harsh, but the majority of those who complained will no doubt realise that there can be no half-way house in dealing with those who are sworn to uphold the law. These are troublous times and above all the police force must be a loyal body of picked men who can be depended upon to perform their duties in a. fearless manner Some Discontent in Torce. It can hardly bo said that the police force in New South Wales is a happy and contented body. Its members have suffered the cuts that have been common to all members of the Civil Service, and as their standard of pay has never been very high, they have felt tlifc position rather more than any other section. Their appeal to the Government to modify the cuts as far as they were concerned fell on deaf ears, and they say that there are other grievances, notably in regard to promotions; that have yet to be adjusted. The police force numbers 4000 and the vast majority are glad that strong action is being taken, for they are jealous of their good name. It is feared that there has been some laxity regarding recent admissions to the force. "The system is to blame, we are not, if a policeman goes wrong," is the attitude of some of the men in Sydney, who have openly expressed their dissatisfaction at the fact that the Premier (Mr Lang) has repeatedly refused to listen to their grievances.