POLICE DRIVERS

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27018, 18 April 1953, Page 8

POLICE DRIVERS

GOOD RESPONSE TQ RECRUITING RADIO TECHNICIANS ALSO BEING ENGAGED (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 17. Experienced motor drivers and mechanics and qualified radio technicians are applying in numbers for entry into the Police Force. Since the Police Department began its recruiting campaign last month a steady flow of applications has been coming into the office of the recruiting officer (Mr W. A. T. McGuire). The present campaign is fof men to fill specialist positions in the transport and radio branches of the force, to release experienced policemen for normal duties. Mr McGuire, in a statement today, said he was well pleased with the response. Already he had sufficient suitable men to fill the quota of 20 drivermechanics required for Wellington, and he had a waiting list of qualified men.

A good type of man was coming forward, said Mr McGuire. Many of the applicants were former servicemen. Although recruits for the two special categories did not have to conform exactly to the normal age and physical requirements for policemen, they had to pass a strict medical test. The normal age requirement, he said, was between 19 and 32, but men above this maximum were being accepted. Recruits were also being accepted for ordinary police work up to the age of 40 years. Driver-mechanics would be recruited in each of the four main centres, Mr McGuire said. Any applicant who possessed all the requirements for general police work would be given le opportunity of joining the force as a regular policeman.