DISSATISFACTION IN POLICE FORCE

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24748, 13 December 1945, Page 4

DISSATISFACTION IN POLICE FORCE

MEETING HELD IN CHRISTCHURCH WORKING CONDITIONS CRITICISED A unanimous decision that the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Police Association wholeheartedly support-the endeavours being made by branches of the association in other parts «of the Dominion to bring about an improvement in the general working conditions of members of the force was carried unanimously at a meeting of the Christchurch branch held vesterday when there was an attendance of 100 members. The following report of N the proceedings at the meeting has-been forwarded by the secretary of the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Police Association:— *

"This branch is awaiting results that may be forthcoming • from the invitation extended to ■ the Minister in charge of Police (the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser) and the Commissioner of Police (Mr J. Cummings) by the Auckland branch to visit Auckland to hear grievances of members concerning conditions in the force, some of which not only apply to members in Auckland, but which affect men stationed throughout New Zealand. It is obvious from the feeling of the meeting that ' there is strong discontent existing in the local district. "The meeting considers that improvements in the working conditions are necessary: 12 men have recently tendered their resignations in this district, and most of these have considerable service in the-Police Force, one being a senior detective with 27 years' service. "It is contended that unlike other Government Departments the • Police Force works 48 hours a week, for ,"' which members are paid 10s extra weekly in lieu of the 40-hour week; and that there is no extra payment for night duty, Sunday work, or work done on statutory holidays. It is pointed out " that this 10s weekly compares very v unfavourably with .the overtime payment made to some other workers in industries who receive treble pay for work done exceeding the" 40-hour week. "A resolution was passed asking for' the immediate repeal of the Emergency Regulations, whereby the consent of the Minister in charge of the department has to he obtained prior to a .. resignation being accepted. In spite of the Minister's assurance that all resignations would be accepted, it is known that some have been held up, and that in at least one case/a constable has been prosecuted in the Magistrate's ~. Court for ~ within the last" week. - * "Since 1937 the association had been pressing for early retirement, and the men express great dissatisfaction that • this matter had not received due con- - sideration when the Superannuation Bill was before the House recently. Promotion is very slow, some men having to wait 17 years before they received their first promotion. The '."'i men consider that early retirement will mean earlier promotion and greater efficiency. . "The single men residents in the • Christchurch Police Barracks complain * of the high cost of living in the bar- ; racks through the shortage .of men, . "Expressions of loyalty botn to the Government and the* officers nf the department were made at the'meet- - ing." - ■■