POLICE SERVICE IN SUBURBAN AREAS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31729, 12 July 1968, Page 3

POLICE SERVICE IN SUBURBAN AREAS

When the suburbs are patrolled by radio

police cars in constant

touch with headquarters, householders

receive a better service from the police in times of emergency, Chief Superintendent G. S. Austing said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Ausing, who is in charge of police in the Christchurch district, was addressing the Canterbury Travel Club. Suburban dwellers who wished to contact the police urgently could, contact the central headquarters and their message would be relayed by radio to the police

car patrolling their area, said Mr Austing. This system, now in its initial stages, would be operated throughout all the suburbs when more staff and more cars are available, he said. It would give the public a more efficient service in times of emergency. “We will not receive any' more complaints like a recent one where a woman complained she telephoned the police and a policeman arrived half an hour later on his bicycle.”

He said the Civil Defence Organisation did not have to function unless there were not enough police or service personnel to do the job. Police were organised to attend to emergencies. They could call up extra staff and bring in the services. Christchurch, with an Army

and an Air Force camp at its disposal probably had the best facilities in New Zealand to deal with an emergency, he said. These services had plenty of men and equipment available.

New Zealand was very lucky to have one national police force, with its 16 districts under the command of the Commissioner, he said. Difficulties arose in London where the borough police, the county police and the City of London police varied their regulations. Police regulations in Australia also differed from state to state, he said. Before selection to the police force candidates had to undergo a stiff medical examination, with a rigid sight test

“We lose quite a few good types because of their sight,” he said.