AN UNDESIRABLE PRACTICE

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 32, 1 November 1929, Page 20

AN UNDESIRABLE PRACTICE

POLICE AND PRISONERS Dominion Special iervk iAuckland, October 31. The taking of statements by the police from people after they have been arrested was criticised by Mid Justice .Smith in the Supreme Court this morn ing, during the hearing of breaking, entering and theft .charges against two mon. 4 Detective-Sergeant Doyle said he had interviewed the men in gaol the day following their arrest. He bad done that according to instructions. Mr.' NOble. who appeared for the num, criticised the detective and suggested that the accused men would be terrified by bis “.fearsome” appearance. “I do not think it a desirable practice for men to be interviewed after arrest.” said His Honour. “It is quite in order for statements to be taken before flic police ' ve made tin their minds to make tin arrest, but I do not think that men should be interviewed in goal unless there are exceptional circumstances. Detective-Sergeant Doyle, of course.* acted under instructions. He lias done nothing wrong: yet the jury should not pay any attention to Hie statements seeing that they were taken after arrest." .