AUSTRALIAN POLICE INQUIRIES

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30892, 27 October 1965, Page 17

AUSTRALIAN POLICE INQUIRIES

(’From GRAEME JENKINS, K Z P.A special correspondent)

SYDNEY, Oct. 26.

If ever a new “image” was needed for Australia’s police forces, the time is now.

In the last six months, the forces in the various States have come under strong attacks from several quarters. Unlike New Zealand, where the police force is on a national basis, there is a separate police set-up in each of the Australian States. There is also a “Commonwealth Police Force,” but its duties are concerned more with security matters than with normal police work. in the various forces, perhaps the one the most off-side with the public is that in New South Wales. From time to time there are accusations levelled against the “bully boys” of the force, especially in Sydney, with the latest outcrop following the near-riot in the heart of the city on Friday evening. Complaints have been made that the police were overenthuhiastic in the handling of some of the demonstrators and that their denial of bail to some of the demonstrators

and the excessive time that they took to charge others, bordered on what might be expected of the force in a socalled “police state.” The complaints about the force’s handling of the most recent public demonstration come just 18 months after it was publicly castigated for its handling of an earlier one.

After a student demonstration in May, 1964. the police were found guilty of using too much force to effect arrests, and of arresting people who had nothing to do with any trouble there was.

Bystanders at the anti-war-in-Vietnam demonstration on

Friday have alleged that the police showed a severe lack of tact in their handling of the situation.

On top of that there have been allegations from time to time in recent months linking members of the force with various rackets in the municipal area. They range from protection for illegal bookmakers and big gambling schools to involvement in'the running of brothels. In Melbourne the Government is investigating serious charges of bribery and graft made by an informer against the Victoria police.

One detective sergeant has already been charged with neglect of duty and it is understood charges against a number of others are pending.

In Queensland, where a number of Brisbane police were recently cleared in an inquiry into alleged police protection for a brothel, another inquiry has been opened—this time an inquiry into an alleged driving-licence racket.

According to allegation made, people not entitled to driving licences have been given them by paying a little extra.