‘Maturity needed in police force

Press, 15 October 1982, Page 3

‘Maturity needed in police force

Parliamentary reporter

Mature people were needed in the police force, the Labour Party spokesman on law and order, Mr M. A. Connelly, told the Police Association conference in Wellington yesterday. Commenting on the recent State Services Commission recommendation that the retirement age for policemen should be lowered from 60 to 40 years, Mr Connelly said that there was no substitute for experience.

As the rate of social change quickened, there would be a need for policemen with greater levels of experience, maturity and judgment. This only came

with time, he said

"If police effectiveness is to be strengthened, the need is for a blend both of physical fitness and maturity of outlook.”

An undue emphasis on recruiting young, physically fit people for frontline service, on early retirement .and on using civilians in administration and support work could lead to a diminished level of experience and maturity in the police service, Mr Connelly said.

Policemen with between 15 and 20 years experience should be used in the community police section, which could have the same career structure as other sections of the police service, he said.