POLICE METHODS

Evening Star, Issue 19891, 13 June 1928, Page 6

POLICE METHODS

SCOTLAND YARD INQUIRY Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, June 12. (Received June 18, at 10 aon.) At the police inquiry Chief Constable Wensley said that his experience ol taking statements from women was that they generally did not desire tho presence of) a policewoman when intimate questions were being asked, especially in regard to themselves. He thought it would bo an improvement if policewomen were always present, unless a woman witness did not desire.—Australian Press Association-United Service. (Received June 13, at 12.30 p.m.) At tho police inquiry Miss Mario Egan, who introduced Sir Chiozza Money to Miss Savidge, gave evidence that when she hoard that Inspector Collins desired to interview her regarding the Money case she refused to go to the local police station, and insisted that the interview should take place at the Constitutional Club. Inspector Collins said that ho wanted the truth, because he already knew everything. He hud been with Miss Savidge tho whole afternoon. Mr Birkett, cross-examining, asked if witness had_ any complaint against Inspector Collins. Miss Egan: “My complaint is very subtle. When he put down statements he gave a slightly different meaning to that which I desired to convey.” Sir William Horwood, questioned by thy Commissioners, said there were no rules to guide officers when taking a statement. Regarding the differentiation in various types of examination he said: “ I am having the general orders reviewed. I should bo happy to follow out your suggestions if they are acceptable to the Home Secretary.”

Mr Lces-Sraith: “Do you mean that there is ground for alteration?” Sir William Horwood: “Tho rules have stood the lest of nearly a century.”

Sir Archibald Bodkin gave evidence that the Home Secretary had referred tho Money case to him, pointing out that if proceedings were not ho must be put in a position to satisfy Parliament that there was no case for perjury prosecution. “I was clearly of tho opinion,” he said, “that tho police had committed wilful perjury after I had read the shorthand _ notes of the magistrate’s judgment dismissing the case and after reading Sir Chiozza Money’s evidence. I also considered that there was not the slightest suggestion that the judgment of the police was mistaken. I therefore ordered Inspector Collins to carry out an investigation with a view to tho prosecution of the officers concerned. I pointed out to him that two respectable people had been pounced upon on an absolutely false charge.” Sir Archibald Bodkin emphasised the supremo importance and urgency of the matter from a public viewpoint. Tho hearing was adjourned.—Australian Press Association-United Service.