THE POLICE FORCE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 125, 23 November 1926, Page 9

THE POLICE FORCE

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln your issue of the 19th inst. a letter appeared under the signature of '■Taxpayer," which purports to be written iv the interests of the Police Force and public. The writer is come, ed about the costs of transfers, and infers that the transfers carried nut by Mr. Wright were necessary, and the transfers carried out by the present Commissioner were not. Who should bo the best judge—the Commissioner and the Minister or '"Taxpayer"? In reference to dissatisfaction existing, it springs from men who wanted a Commissioner who would .serve their purpose to get promotion over the heads of others. The writer refers to the foundation of an efficient and contented force laid previously. I assume he refers to the examinations, etc., but he has forgotten to let the public know that' prior lo the first examination men were promoted to the commission rank who were not capable of passing a sixth standard examination. Another instance of that earlier peaceful Police Force, was the occasion wjien, in Auckland and other parts of the Dominion, it was discovered that a movement was on foot amongst a section of tho police to get organised into a union by v .member of tho Labour Party. That it was serious was shown by the fact that the Commissioner, in company with Ministers, visited Auckland and had a special parade, the result being that a number of men were transferred to different parts of the Dominion. Your correspondent's letter indicates clearly that there are men in the service who arc prepared to break the regulations in order to gain their point. The copies of the circulars can only come from one source. As to the contents of the circulars, they are long overdue. In the past, invariably the policy was to keep good with tho influential section of the public, and at times send along a member of the force when there was no jurisdiction. There _is another serious aspect cf this subject of which the public is not aware: that is, the police service at races and other meetings have been given practically free to these bodies, who make thousands of pounds out of the public, while the citizens in the suburbs and country districts are deprived of protection. Mr. M'Jlvcney is proving himself ono of the most capable Commissioners that the service has had since the departure of. Mr. Tunbridge, who left because he failed to get the Ministerial support to lift the service from a servile body, up to one that would be a credit to the Dominion. The citizens .should jealously guard their Police Force, which is the mainstay of their liberty.—l am, etc., EX-OEITCEK.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The statement by the Commission-, or of Police in reply to the letter^ by '"Taxpayer" is most satisfactory. Your correspondent, evidently a police official witli access to official documents, has drawn attention to the energetic and businesslike administration of the present Commissioner in adjusting matters which for years have awaited an executive, strong, energetic, and able enough to deal with them. The daily prayer in high circles in the Police Force for some time past lias been "Do not rock the boat." The people who have suffered most by the Laisse Faire policy have been the rank and file of the force. When banks, racing clubs, shipping companies, shows, merchants, and others who have utilised the highly efficient police organisation to protect their property and interests, are called upon to pay as they would be if the service were rendered the Post and Telegraph or tho Railway Departments, then the Police Department can afford to pay higher wages without increasing the cost to the taxpayer, and no one on either side will grumble. But whilst appreciating the benefits of Mr. M'llveney's undoubtedly, capable administration, I desire to point out to him one or two matters which have caused and are causing comment. The Police Regulations provide against any member of the force or his wife engaging in business. Men have been compelled to choose between relinquishing business or resigning. Why, then, are officials permitted to engage in farming and other businesses with impunity? At least two police officials in high office are engaged in extensive farming operations. Again, is it creditable that a member of the force drawing a salary well beyond the minimum should boast that he has never paid income tax? It' the Commissioner is interested in these matters, and will say so through your columns, I will see that the names of the individuals concerned reach him. I enclose'-my card.—l am, etc., ANOTHER TAXPAYER.