NIGHT-DUTY ARRESTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29138, 25 February 1960, Page 13

NIGHT-DUTY ARRESTS

Policy Of Police Association “It would be as far removed from Police Association policy and principles as I can imagine, to suggest that any s member would fail to carry out his duty of making an arrest during nightduty, if by recognised standards an arrest was warranted,” said the general secretary of the Police Association (Mr J. Meltzer) in Christchurch last evening. Mr Meltzer was commenting on a report that “the motorist who has had a drink too many, but is only a borderline case of intoxication, may be the winner as a result of a recent Police Department decision.” In a statement, Mr Meltzer said that he regretted that such an Irresponsible and highly dangerous statement should have been published. “As far as the facts are concerned, it is true that a recent departmental instruction revoked a long-standing practice of granting time-off to police who were required to attend Court after a period of night duty,” said Mr Meltzer. Interview Next Month “It is also true that representations have been made in this connexion. The association has always found the Commissioner of Police willing to discuss any matter affecting the working conditions of the man and an interview is to take place early next month. “The management committee of the association is quite capable of stating its case for restoration of the ‘time-off’ procedure,” said Mr Meltzer. “Why borderline drinking drivers should have been singled out for this prospective immunity from arrest is incomprehensible to me,” said Mr Meltzer. “The report might equally have suggested that policemen on night duty might think twice’ before arresting anyone examining the lock of a shop door on the principle that the person may only be a borderline potential burglar. “I cannot conceive of any type of report that -could be more harmful, and it most certainly does not reflect the official view of the Police Association,” said Mr Meltzer.