POLICE COMMISSIONER RESIGNS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 12

POLICE COMMISSIONER RESIGNS

Mr E. H. Compton To Leave On Superannuation £6OOO COMPENSATION FOR LOSS OF OFFICE (Ft 6m Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, April 19. Finding that he has not been able to maintain his authority because of restlessness and discontent in the Police Force, Mr E. H. Compton, Commissioner of Police, has resigned. The acceptance of his resignation as the first step in the reorganisation of the force from the top was announced in the House of Representatives today by the Prime Minister (Mr Holland). Some whistles of incredulity came from Opposition members when the Prime Minister announced also that Mr Compton would be granted six months’ retirement leave, payment for accumulated leave, superannuation of £Bl2 a year, and a lump payment of £6OOO as compensation for loss of office.

Mr Holland said that Mr Compton was not strictly entitled to superannuation, because his service was three years short of the required term, but the Government felt he was entitled to retire to facilitate the reorganisation of the force. Discussing the lump sum payment, Mr Holland said that Mr Compton’s salary for the unexpired part of his normal service—another 12 years—would amount to about £24,000.

Replying to a question by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash), Mr Holland said he proposed to introduce in this part of the session a bill to validate the appointment of the Police Commission, the two remaining members of which, Messrs P. Munro and P. J. Nalder, would administer the force in the meantime. He emphasised in his statement that events over the last year or so had been unpleasant and unsettling to the Police Force and to the public, and could not be allowed to continue.

PRIME MINISTER’S ANNOUNCEMENT

In his statement in the House Mr Holland, as reported by the Press Association, said:—“l desire to inform the House that I have received a letter dated April 18 from Mr E. H. Compton, Commissioner of Police, in which he expresses the wish to retire voluntarily from his appointment as Commissioner of Police and chairman of the Police Commission, subject to certain arrangements being made in connexion with his retiring allowance, leave on retirement, and a payment as compensation for loss of office. “His resignation has been accepted, and will take effect forthwith.

“The terms upon which Mr Compton retires have been the subject of discussion between Mr Compton’s solicitor and myself and also with a committee of the Cabinet. They are as follows:

“(1) He will receive payment in respect of accumulated leave at present due to him. He will be granted leave on retirement for a period of six months. “(2) He will be granted superannuation at the rate of £Bl2 per annum calculated on his present salary.

“(3) He will receive a payment as compensation for loss of office.

“The Government has agreed to these terms. “I feel it desirable at this stage that I should refer to some of the events which have taken place during the last 12 months which have a bearing on the position that has arisen, and which have culminated in Mr Compton’s retirement. “In December, 1952, Mr Compton was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police, and in March, 1953, he was appointed Commissioner after the untimely death of Mr Bruce Young, the then Commissioner.

“The rapid promotion of Mr Compton from sub-inspector to commissioner caused feeling among members of the force, especially among those who were senior to him in the service.

Royal Commission’s Inquiry “Within a few months of his appointment charges of a very grave nature were made against him reflecting upon his honour and integrity. The Government acted promptly in the matter by setting up a Royal Commission to inquire into these and other allegations relating to the Police Force. The report of the Royal Commission had already been laid on the table of the House. ‘‘Members will recall that the Government was at pains to ensure that the person appointed as the Royal Commissioner was a man of mature judgment, wide experience in the Courts, and of the highest integrity, and that Sir Robert Kennedy, who had recently retired from the Supreme Court Bench after 20 years as a Judge, was given this important task. In addition, the commission Was given the assistance of learned counsel.

‘‘The first part of the inquiry dealt with allegations of the improper use oi Government time and materials for Mr Compton’s private advantage, and on this charge he was ordered to pay the Government the sum of £7 18s, which he duly did. ’Tn respect of other charges relating to allegations of the payment of hush-money by bookmakers to members of the Police Force, the commission stated that no credible evidence had been discovered that any member of the force had received hush-money from bookmakers. As far as Mr Copipton himself was concerned, the commission stated that there emerged no material of any kind which was evidence of the receipt of hush-money. The commission went on to say that Mr Compton had facilitated the inquiries made of him. “The only other matter before the commission having reference to Mr Compton personally was an allegation of telephone tapping. Mr Compton admitted to the commission that he had tapped telephones on two occasions in 1944 or 1945 and in 1946, to obtain information bn bookmaking activities. This -occurred before the 1948 amendment to the Post and Telegraph Act, 1928, making it an offence to tap telephones by connecting additional apparatus. “Other matters investigated by the commission were allegations that some members of the force had criminal records, and that there was laxity in the enforcement of the licensing laws. These were reported on extensively by the commission, but had no personal reference to Mr Compton.

Decision to Resign “It is generally known that before, during, and since the inquiry there has been a considerable amount of discontent. This feeling is still in evidence to some extent. Mr Compton has found that in the face of these circumstances he has not been able to maintain the authority of his office, and he has accordingly resigned his appointment.

“Honourable members will recall that when the present Cabinet was formed after the 1954 General Election I took over the Police Force oec? t u s e I fe lt that circumstances necessitated the closest possible examination, and that important administrative changes were needed. ‘‘The members will also recall that 1 was obliged to go to London to the conference of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in January, and I therefore decided to make inquiries in London into as wide a range of matters relating to police information as I could during the time available. “Before I left New Zealand, however, the Government, on my recommendation, set up, on a temporary basis, a three-man commission to perform the functions previously performed by the Commissioner of Police alone. The results I had hoped for have not been achieved. "As a result, many discussions have taken place as to the best course to take * I - aVe reported to the Government that in my view imnortonf.

changes in the administration of the Police Force are essential to the welfare of the force itself. I am also convinced that this reorganisation must be begun at the top, and that reorganisation cannot be undertaken until the way is cleared at that level. “First Step Now Taken”

“As Minister of Police and also a member of the special Cabinet committee, I have had many discussions with Mr Compton with a view to making changes possible. The first step in this direction has now been taken.

“Mr Compton has had 32 years’ police service, and in the normal course of events would have 12 years’ service before him at a salary which is at present £1925 per annum before reaching the retiring age of 65 years. “After the most careful consideration of nil the circumstances, the Government feels that Mr Compton, by agreeing to retire, is fairly entitled to certain financial compensation. He is not, in fajt, strictly entitled to superannuation because he is still three years sho; t of the length of service which entitles him to retire on superannuation as of right. “Nevertheless, the Government feels that in facilitating the reorganisation of the force, by tendering his resignation Mr Compton is entitled to retire on superannuation which, on the basis of his present salary, would be at the rate of £Bl2 per annum. “It is also felt that he is entitled to some measure of compensation for loss of income for the unexpired portion of his normal service, which at the full rate of salary would amount to something like £24,000. After negotiation and as a condition of his retirement £6OOO has been to. “Mr Compton had agreed to abandon any legal or other claims he may have for compensation, and to accept in full satisfaction the terms I have announced.

Subsequent Changes “I am at the moment unable to indicate the changes consequent upon Mr Compton’s retirement because it had not been possible to deal with other positions until M" Crmnton’s position was finalised. •’«■? will, however, be announr''-! ■ t Ilia earliest possible morrr-i » :1 the meantime the adn*; ••• -. 'ation of the Police Force will be in the hands of Assistant Commissioners Munro and Nalder. “There are just one or two final observations I would make: the Police Force is composed of a very fine, efficient, and capable body of men and women, keen on their work and loyal to their country and to whatever government is in office. Events over the last year or so have been unpleasant and unsettling to them and to the public. This could not be allowed to continue.

“This is an opportunity for a new start, and I feel sure we shall have the backing of the members of the House, the Police Force, and the public in our efforts to bring about those changes which will make for harmony and efficiency in this very important branch of the country’s service.”