THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVI, Issue 47, 23 November 1909, Page 6

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

THE COMMISSIONER'S REPLY. ALLEGATIONS AND DENIALS. WELLINGTON, Nov.-19. The Commissioner of Police (Mr Dinnie) has replied to the findings oi Mr H. W. Bishop, the commissioner who was appointed to inquire into the conditions obtaining in the police force, the following being a. summary of his remarks:— Mr Dinnie in reply to Mr Bishop's statement that though there had been for several years urgent need lor the revision of regulations nothing had been done states that in August, IUO6, lie began work on revision. An enormeus amount of research was necessary to make the regulations comprehensive, but in May last the l draft was completed and in ' August proofs were distributed to inspectors. Evidence was given that the chief clerk hail for two years worked overtime on the draft. In reference to the charges brought by Mr Arnold (M.P. for Dunedin Central) Mr Dinnie traverses the Commission's findings and con tends that proper inquiries were made. On the questi.m of discharges granted to men who were afterwards found to be undesirable he draws a distinction between a parchment certificate of discharge and mere paper memorandum. The former, lie says, is the ..only one of value and the latter counts for nothing. In several instances he shows that no parchment certificate was granted. On the question of political influence Mr Dinnie quotes the Commission's report "that the most mischievous direction in which political influence operated lias been in inducing the enrolment of men into the force without sufficient inquiry." To this lie replies: 'I specially produced to Mr Bishop a number of files containing letters from members and replies thereto with the object of entirely disproving such assertions. In fact, I invited him to my office to search the files, but apparently he had no desire to avail himself of the opportunity. He did not visit the office at all. A more unwarrantable suggestion than that made by him is inconceivable. There was not a. tittle of evidence before him on which he could draw such conclusions, and i ehalleng him to ' quote a single instance justifying his i allegations. There never was a time when political influence had less effect than now."

Mr Dinnio strongly resents tho recommendations by tho Commission as to a change in t-lio headquarters staff, and contends that the 'evidence docs not warrant such a. conclusion by the Commission, and particularly tho statement that ''profound dissatisfaction agamst Sub-Inspector Wright is not borne out by the evidence." The only evidence given, he says, was of two discontented men. "How, therefore," says Mr Dinnio, ''can Mr Bishop say ho, has deeply gauged the feeling on this point throughout the force. Why should MubJ.nspeetor Wright, who is exceptionally qualified lor the position he holds, lie turned out of ofliee 011 the testimony o! two men and the preconceived opinion of Mr Bishop, and his character blasted as one who is to be distrusted!-'" Mr Dinuie tscoubs (he su:!;g(stion that a. Civil Service clerk would soon pick up the duties. The work leq litres years of experience, he says, to properly master and (lie idea is absurd. \\ ith regard to the Commissioner's condemnation of Mr Diunie's leniency in cac;e,s of drunkenness in the force the latter states that- the regulations quoted by the former have never been literally enforced since they were made in 1887, and for very good reasons. 'Die principal of these is that what is considered drunkenness in a police official would no sobriety in an ordinary man.

A iK)lic<-inau under tin; regulations i.-: drunk n ne h.is any signs of liquor on In in at all, and it would bo ridiculous to apply universal punishment where eircum.stances dilfor in every resjKKtt. -Mr Dinnio asserts that Ik: lias followed the practice* adopted in m-ry force lie ims had experience (if and also those. adopted by his predecessors in this force. AVhv didn't Mr Bishop compare iii.s action with that adopted by his' predecessors:' "Since 1 KNituiK'd char#-," says Air Dinnie, "I have dispensed with the services of no less than 31! men who brought discredit on the service through di unkenness and when they were tak'"i on in my predecessors' time practieadv without inquiry."

Speaking generally lie argues that the Commissioner did not approach bis undertaking with an open mind. Ho points out th-at he is responsible, for the appointment of 429 out of 701 officers, and that on the finding ol the Commission the force is < 1 ficicut, that it is f from bribery and corruption, and tint everything is good except the man responsible for the results.