Superintendent Silk awaits decision

Press, 21 September 1977, Page 3

Superintendent Silk awaits decision

■PA Wellington The office of the Commissioner of Police (Mr K. B. Bumside) said yesterday that it would be some time before the commissioner would be able to make a decision about the future of Superintendent Robert Peter Silk.

It would be a matter of days before all Mr Silk’s papers reached Mr Bumside, and the latter would then have to spend considerable time studying them, an office spokesman, said.

Mr Justice Mahon on Monday allowed Mr Silk’s appeals in the Supreme Court at .Auckland against convictions on charges of driving under the influence of drink, dangerous driving, and refusing to permit a blood specimen to be taken.

Back at work yesterday after a 10-week suspension from duties, Mr Silk said he had lost about 10 kilograms weight during this time — “an experience I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy,” he said. “There is no way I would drink and drive,” he said. “That was my attitude before I was charged with the offences and that is still my attitude now.” Mr Silk, who is 46. said the experience had taught him to be more compassionate and understanding when dealing with alleged offenders. He is confident that a severe migraine attack, similar to that which he suffered while driving, would not affect his judgment in police matters.

“I have discussed the problem with my specialist,” he said. “I know what symptoms to look for now. I have been suffering from these attacks periodically since the war.

“Never in the past have they interfered with my duties.”

Mr Silk said he had had “a tremendous amount of support” from his colleagues. He had no comment to make on suggestions that some members of the police were revelling in seeing him in trouble. Mr Silk said he had discussed with his doctor whether he should continue to drive. “The specialist says there is no reason to prevent it,” he said.