“Too Many Police Officers Soon”

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 10

“Too Many Police Officers Soon”

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, May 31.

There will soon be tioo many officers and not enough men in the New Zealand Police Force, according to Superintendent J. C. Fletcher, who retired at midnight as head of the Dunedin police district.

Superintendent Fletcher said that police promotions could not continue under the present accelerated scheme “You cannot go on promoting men ad lib,” he said. "The backbone of the service is the constable. He is the one on the beat who is in touch with the public ait large.” Superintendent Fletcher also regrets the change in the police title. “My view is that the old ‘Police Force' was regarded as something benign and kindly. ‘New Zealand Police’ has a different connotation. “The fact remains that when it was the ‘Police Force’ the relations between the police and the general public were on a happier plane than today,” he added Superintendent Fletcher joined the force 38 years ago. Then, he said, the men on the beat were older and

they commanded more respect. Detective Superintendent G. W. Alty, head of the Dunedin Criminal Investigation Branch, has been appointed superintendent and will succeed Superintendent Fletcher. His transfer to the uniform branch -as officer in charge was announced today by the Commissioner of Police (Mr C. L. Spencer). Superintendent Atty was promoted from detective chief inspector to detective superintendent in November. 1962 He started his career in Christchurch in 1933 and was five years in the uniform branch before he joined the C. 1.8. He has been stationed only in Christchurch and Dunedin.

Detective-Inspector F. A. Gordon, officer in charge of the Palmerston North C. 1.8., has been transferred to Dunedin to succeed Superintendent Alty.