Alleges He Was Misreported

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30745, 8 May 1965, Page 1

Alleges He Was Misreported

(From Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, May 7. Many of the words used in an article in “The Press" today were not his and implied that members of the police who were not in the Criminal Investigation Branch were of inferior quality, said the Commissioner of Police (Mr C. L. Spencer), today. He was referring to an article which quoted him as saying that detectives were

underpaid and that they were the “elite” of the service.

Mr Spencer said that a reporter had telephoned him about Detective Chief Inspector R. J. Walton’s impending visit to America to attend a narcotics course. After the interview had concluded, the conversation had taken a more personal note and a general discussion followed on various subjects concerning the police and crime.

“The good work of the Christchurch C. 1.8. was discussed,” said Mr Spencer. “I did not use the word ‘elite 1 , but I did say that the New Zealand C. 1.8. was worth its weight in gold.

“I also said that I had discussed with others over the last 12 months ways and

means to improve their allowances without upsetting the present wage structure. “The article inferred that the Government had turned down applications during the last 12 months for an increase in detectives’ pay, but this is not so.

“I still say the C. 1.8. is worth its weight in gold, and that good detectives are dedicated to their work, but the article reads as if the rest of the service is a write-off. This is not true and was never implied in our conversation which was taken by me as not being an interview for publication.

“There are too many words mentioned in the article which are not mine,” said Mr Spencer.