POLICE FORCE

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26211, 7 September 1950, Page 3

POLICE FORCE

HOUSING PROBLEM EMPHASISED INADEQUATE INTAKE OF RECRUITS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 6. Adequate police protection cannot be provided in certain districts because the police are unable to secure house accommodation, according to the Commissioner of Police (Mr J. Bruce Young). In his annual report on the Police Force, tabled in the House of Representatives to-day, Mr Young says there is a strong argument for giving extra housing priority to the Police Force, because of the far-reaching social evils caused bv unchecked crime. Mr Young describes the securing of housing for men on transfer and promotion as one of the most serious and pressing problems facing members of the force and the department. It is hoped to afford some relief by providing departmental houses in various centres. “With the rapid growth of the population in certain areas, demands are being made for the establishment of new police stations or an increase in number of the men at existing stations,” said Mr Young. “These demands have necessarily to stand in abeyance until the strength of the force permits expansion in these directions. and until suitable buildings are available.” The Police Department has a long list of building requirements, some of which have been outstanding for several years. It is hoped that some of the work will be done in the near future

future. The report says that, because of the dilaoidated condition of some nolice houses and buildings, expenditure even on essential repairs has not been justified. In many cases there has been ranid deterioration, and the replacement of the ‘building is urgently needed. Recruiting Difficulties Mr Young says it seems that extra housing priority and improved conditions will alone get the recruits the Police Force must have. On March 31, 1950, the total strength of the force was 1538. a decrease of three during the year. Considerable difficulty was experienced in obtaining recruits last year, and the force was net kept up to adequate strength. There were not sufficient suitable candidates to fill the. vacancies caused by retirements, resignations, and deaths, and on March 31 the force was 60 below its authorised strength. “It is realised that there is keen competition for the services of young men of integrity and character, education. and physique, who would be suitable as recruits for the Police • Force, but it is clear that the force has not attracted its proportion of the young men available,” says Mr Young. “I recognise, that our principal duty is, and always will be, the prevention of crime and the protection of life and property, and that if we have more policemen, we should have less crime. I agree that the man on the beat is the best deterrent and check on the drift of young men into crime.” There are now 37 constables in the women’s division of the Police Force Mr Young says it is honed to keen the division at least at this strength, ? nd . possible, to increase it, because it is found that there are many duties for which women police, are eminently suited.