POLICE FORCE CONDITIONS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 256, 13 July 1926, Page 12

POLICE FORCE CONDITIONS

Sir, —As a citizen who has had considerable deoilings with our New Zealand police, and one who who takes a keen interest in the members of that Department, I consider it high time that the conditions under which they work should be brought up level with the times and to the standard of all other police departments in I ho British Empire. As the members of the force are not represented by a union or association . ns is the case in Australia and Great i Britain, it would be much wiser for I the authorities to step in and bring I conditions to a level of tho times then |

to sit back until general dissatisfaction and a demand for representation forces their hand. No far-seeing man can doubt that these conditions will eventually come as they have come in other countries if this Department does not receive reasonable consideration. Now, some of the alterations that I would suggest are that the force be allowed one day per week off as is the case in Great Britain and Australia.

AU members of the force be paid in the Department’s time, as is the case in all Government Departments, and is even a wharf labourer’s right. At present they are requested to parade for inspection and pay twice each month in their own time, notwithstanding that they are inspected twice daily. This ceremony is somewhat expensive to the Department, for under existing methods all police officers, clerical work, detective staff, and other duties are held up during inspection and pay. Although the force is allowed twentyfour days’ leave per year (which by the way is considered a privilege only) they have to work approximately thirty-four Sundays as well as all public holidays, no overtime rates are allowed them for Sundays, night duty, and public holidays as is the case in all other Departments. Statistics prove that tha cost per head of policing New Zealand is.far less than any other part of the British Empire, therefore, why should the conditions under which they work not be at least on a par with those other countries? A married constable with a family living in this city has a hard struggle for existence. His work demands that he lives in a respectable locality, handy to his station, as he is travelling to and from work before the trama commence to run in the morning.. This means that a large portion of his wages are spent in paying the enormous rents that are demanded in the city, therefore he cannot afford to take the advantage of his leave that is no doubt expected of him by his Department, that is, to go into the country and relax from the strict discipline of his calling and his strenuous daily nerve-racking experiences to enable him to replenish the health and physique that is necessary for his efficiency on duty. A constable is compelled to execute his powers whether on duty or otherwise, and frequently during leave is called to assist railway officers, etc., to maintain order; he is also liable to ba recalled from leave at any time by the Department, no matter where he is or under what circumstances ho may ba placed. Now, for the above-mentioned reasons, I consider that at least married constables should be granted a railway pass on these occasions. Dur present Prime Minister (according to a statement he made some time ago) appears to be well satisfied with, the loyalty and efficiency of our. police and no doubt that any suggestion regarding the above-mentioned points from him would be well received by the Minister of Justice and the newly-appointed Commissioner of Police, who so favour# greater efficiency and high social conditions for his mon, would be only too pleased of an opportunity of recommending any of them.—l am, etc., FAHI PLAY.