THE POLICE INQUIRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 134, 2 March 1929, Page 11

THE POLICE INQUIRY

Sir,—Now that a Royal Commission has to inquire into New Zealand police methods, as one who has hnd considerable experience of English city and New Zealand police methods. I can only express regret that the scope,of inquiry is so limited. In other words it is time our New Zealand police underwent a complete renaissance, and this important remark is only made after long and careful observation.

In the first place, in this huge social force costing half a million pounds per year, with high potentiality for good or evil, how many of its officers from the highest to the lowest hold the diploma of social science or any part of it? The answer is nil. How many are qualified solicitors? One A sergeant. What is the standard of education for entrance? A Standard V modified. The inference is obvious.. Human conduct cannot be regulated by several hundred police regulations that can be overcome by trickery. No, only a strict

ethical code can determine that by those who have diligently studied ethics and philosophy (and law in this case). Months ago I was spe; king to a high official retired from the Union Company. I said: “I would not take the position of Commissioner of Police. To get the force right I would’nt know where to start.”

The gentlemen replied: “Yes, it would need a lot of weeding. Who is going to do that weeding in our present system of Commissioner from the ranks? Is he going to sack men he has known for 40 years or more? Where is the scientifically trained man in the whole of the force? _ Your case at the best will receive mediocre treatment just as if respectable and fairly intelligent Mr. Grocer or Mr. Plumber had the case, and at the worst—what?. This Elsie Walker case illustrates a defective method that I knew would be exposed. The policeman in New Zealand cannot understand that he is a Minister of Justice, and not a partisan. He sees solicitors holding briefs for or against, and taking the side for all they are worth, and the policeman thinks that he should do the same. (The poor chap has not been properly trained as they are in England.) .He draws up his theory as far as his very limited knowledge will allow, and too often present a one-sided case. I could say very much more.—l am, etc, JugwCA Wellington.