POLICE FORCE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24736, 29 November 1945, Page 6

POLICE FORCE

PAY AND CONDITIONS DISCUSSED .REPORTS OF DISCONTENT DENIED (PA.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. General conditions and pay in the Police Force, and recent reports of discontent and resignations were discussed in the House of Representatives this afternoon. The discussion was initiated by the Minister in charge of Police (the St. Hon. P. Frsser), who replied to a question asked earlier by Mr T. L. Macdonaid (Opposition. Mataura) and Mr A. S". Sutherland (Opposition, Hauraki).

Mr Fraser said it was proposed to Build the Police Force up to adequate strength as suitable recruits became available. Since the commissioner's report was written, the war-time duties of the police on wharves and shipping had been discontinued releasing a number of police for other duties.

Mr Fraser said police officers in charge of districts had -been instructed to enrol suitable recruits. Pay and conditions in the Police Force were better now than ever previously The pay and allowances of a constable on appointment amounted to £4OB a year which compared very favourably with tnat paid in other occupations. Many of the resignations to which the questioners had referred were those of temporary constables who were appointed during the war period some of whom were not up to the physical standard set for recruits before the war, r.nd which hari vr-r- h°on misstated. ro,n

Mr FraSer, siiDDlcrov-uiiP" ■•:■< •rtten answer, said" thai -/hilt- iWc might be some members of 'i'v 1 oH'« Force who wanted' 1o set out he desired to dispel any impression that there was discontent in the Police Force Mr Fraser said that while it was always open for the Police Force to make representations on working conditions, and while the Government was always ready to consider these, nobody could claim that the force was underpaid. Ofßcers' Pay With a house allowance of 10s a week for married men. the minimum pay was £434 a year. It was correct that this was for a period of 20 years. There might be a need for some adjustment. Sergeants received from £509 to £536, senior sergeants and detectives £583 to £6lO, sub-inspec-™s£63o to £679, inspectors £733 to £773, and superintendents £BOO to £B2O. Mr Fraser said he did not suggest that the Police Force was overthere could be n o suggestion that they were underpaid. If the men felt there was a need for Improved conditions they were quite entitled to seek them through their association. To suggest that there was discontent in the Police Force was not only misrepresentation, but was a serious reflection on the men. _ The Prime Minister said the commissioner, who was well known* not only iqrhis ability as a detective but for nis sympathetic approach to the problems of the men working under him, Would always be ready to consider the mens representations. Mr R. M. Algie (Opposition, Kemuera) said if there was much discontent matters should be put right, and if there had been many resignations the newspaper reports should be investigated. Mr Fraser: We know the causes, and there are no resignations we are not willing to let out of the force. _ Mr Algie said the resignations were due to the fact that there was no luture in the Police Force, and there was insufficient inducement for members to remain. Quite a number of returned servicemen had turned down service in the Police Force after comparing conditions with those ruling in other employments. Recently he had read a judge's comments on the detection of a crime by an officer who had used violet ray equipment. Mr Al°ie said he had been told that the equirjment was the officer's personal property, and there was no corresponding equipment issued by the department.

Purchase of Equipment Mr Fraser said the Commissioner of Police had full authority to procure the modern equipment. Mr Algie: I hope the commissioner w:li exercise that authority. Mr Algie said there were insufficient cars lor the use of the police in Auckland. He suggested that the number «f m su ea l ed - ■ He ha & read in a report ' tnat the detection of crime was 95 per ; cent successful, but when he congratulated a police officer on this accompkshment the latter had just laughed. t H - McCombs (Government, Lyttelton) thought that some additional equipment, could be made available for the Police Force, but had the member for Remuera forgotten that the whole of the resources of the Department of. Scientific and Industrial Kesearch were available to the police Mr Algie:' How lone does that take to get into operation? Mr McCombs: How long does it take to ask for it? Mr McCombs said it seemed that the member for Remuera desired to create the impression that everything was ■wrong in the Police Force. Mr Sutherland said it was disturbing to see so many resignations from the Police Force. Mr McCombs: How many resignations have you seen? Mr Sutherland said there were many anomalies in the regulations, and he hoped the Minister would see they ■were straightened out. He made a plea for increased travelling expenses for constables in rural areas with their own cars, Mr E. L. Cullen (Government. Hawke's Bay) suggested tha't consideration be given to drawing recruits for the Police Force from the Maori Battalion.

Mr F. Langstone (Government, Waimarino) said that in the main there was not a large measure of discontent fn v the Police Force. There had been resignations, but it was all humbug and moonshine to attempt to present the public with reports of wide discontent Members of the Police Force Had their own association to investigate complaints. Now that the war was over he thought there would be numbers of men who would enrol in the force. There had prohablv been any amount who wanted to join, but Were found to be unsuitable.