POLICE FORCE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 91, 11 January 1921, Page 4

POLICE FORCE

> TRAINING DEPOT TO BE REOPENED FINE CLASS OF RECRUIT TO BE TRAINED As a result of the increased enlistments in the Police Force, it is understood that the police depot in Wellington, which has been closed during the period of tho war. Will bo reopened at the end of the month, under the control of Senior-Ser-geant Al’Namara It is stated Departmentally that the increased rates of pay, which provide ft minimum of ss. a week for a single constable, and .£6 for a married man, have attracted a fine stamp of recruit, and the class will be for the benefit of these men. Intensive courses of physical drill and other athletic exercises will bo undergone by the recruit, who will be required to be in. the depot for a period of three months at least. It is anticipated, however, that the course of . instruction will be for a longer period, in order to meet special cases. The opinion expressed by officers of the police administration branch is that the pre-sent-day recruit is much, younger than his forerunner of pre-war days. Men of the ages of twenty find twenty-one are enlisting freely, and in these cases, the majority intend to make police work their profession. “Altogether, they are of a better class than in the old days,” said an official to a Dominion reporter last evening. “Tn tho past, men of twenty-five and thirty used to enlist, after having tried with more or less success other trades. There is no doubt that the younger man will prove ft success.” In' several cases recruits are being enlisted rather below the physical standard required by regulations, but it is thought that the depot with its special instructive course in physical training will remedy minor defects. In the meantime. the opinion in official circles is that the shortage that was brought by the war has been overcome.