POLICE FORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1926, Page 10

POLICE FORCE

TRANSFERS OF OFFICERS

QUESTION OF PAYMENT FOR ESCORTING TREASURE

f-A COMPLAINT AND A REPLY.

, Some interesting questions relating to-the administration and activities of the Police Force are raised by a correspondent. The letter is as follows:— (To the Editor.) ; sir,—ln the early part of the present year a change was made in the administrative head of the Police Department. Mr. Wright, a respected officer, resigned owing to his having reached the age limit,,'his successor being one of the senior officers of the force. Just prior to Mr. Wright's retirement various officers were transferred, each costing the State a considerable sum of money. Some transfers were no doubt necessary at the time, but almost immediately on the present Commissioner taking charge, further transfers wero ordered, and from time to time since, officers and men-have been on the move, for no apparent reason. This had an unsettling effect on officers and men alike, and the cost to the State must , have amounted to an enormous sum, and at a time when all Government Departments are expected to economise. • There is no disguising the fact that at the present time dissatisfaction exists throughout the Police Force, and the public are, in consequence, suffering. The foundation for an efficient and contented force was laid in 1912 by the Hon. A. L. Herdman and the then Comsioner, Mr. Cullen, but the public today view with apprehension recent happenings. Not only has the rank and file of this important Department of State been disturbed by the orders and instructions, but. the public, who pay for police protection, are to be raided for further movements. Charges are now to be made for police services, etc., and instructions have been issued with that end in view. This opens up' endless possibilities and ought to be viewed with suspicion. The instruction speaks for itself: — Wellington, Ist November, 1926. Circular 22/28: Officers in charge of' districts are hereby authorised to make adequate arrangements, upon application, for the protection of persons having custody of gold or treasure, or conveying it in public places, : or from one place to another. When the services of the police are desired :for the escort of treasuro or valui ables on behalf of any banking institution or any firm, company, club, association, etc., or any person, the applicant for such service shall be informed that an escort will be provided at the charges prescribed by . the Commissioner, exclusive of fares for the conveyance of members of the police during the journey, which are to be paid by the owner of the treasure or his representative. All payments for such services shall be paid into the public account. On no ac- - count shall the police take possession of the gold or treasure, which must be in charge of the owner of same or his representative, and the members of the police who act as guard shall not remain in a building where the money or' treasure is kept, as all responsibility the Police Department will undertake is to allow the police to attend on guard outside a Building where the owners or representatives have placed a person in charge inside. As soon as possible after completion of the duty the senior member of the police escort shall furnish a written report for , transmission to and record by the officer in charge of the district. W. B. M'ILVENEY, Commissioner of Police. That is not all, for this is followed up on the 10th November by another instruction: — \ Charges for special police services at race meetings,.and while on'gold or treasure escort duty: In reference to circular No. 22/28, published at page 714 of "Police Gazette," 1926, the Commisisoher of Police has laid down the following conditions: —The special services of police applied for by individuals, firms, clubs, associations, etc., where the interests of the individual, firm, club, or association, . etc., predominate, shall be charged for by the Police Department as under: 10s per man for the first two hours or any portion thereof, and 2s 6d per subsequent half-hour while so employed; the minimum charge will be 10s and the maximum £1 per man per day of eight hours, irrespective of rank; actual cost of meals and 'J locomotion expenses while on such duty are to be an additional charge. The time charged for is to include time spent going from and returning to the police station; all amounts received for such special services w,ill be paid into the public account, and the usual receipt will be issued, to the payer. Now, Sir, this is a very dangerous Innovation, and where it is going to end is, I suggest, a question for close investigation, and I trust the subject is of sufficient importance to warrant my seeking you to afford space for publication. —I am, etc., TAXPAYER.