POLICEMEN IN MAKING

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 November 1935, Page 3

POLICEMEN IN MAKING

TWENTY RECRUITS TRAINING.

New Zealanders need have no fear in comparing the ability and physique of their police with those of other countries.'’ All candidates for the jpolice force undergo a four- months course at the training depot at Newtown, and when they - emerge they have a thorough grounding in general police work, a working knowledge ot criminal law and an impressive physique (savs the Dominion). The depot was closed in 1900 as one of the economy measures then deemed necessary, but in August of this year it was again opened and the first 20 candidates are now hearing the completion of the course.- For three months they have been studying police work, and have been put through an intensive course of physical training until thev are now in the-best of physical condition. Their day begins at 6.30 a.m. 1 hysical training ©accupies the time until breakfast, which is at 8 o’clock, and after this there is inspection and roll call. General instructions and classes in selected subjects occupy the remainder of the morning until noon, with a short break at 10.30. Further classes are conducted from 1.30 to 3.30 p.m., and these are followed by drill and gymnasium training. On three nights in the week classes are conducted in. first aid and life-saving from 7 to 9 p.m. Three months’ intensive training of candidates at the depot has produced a prospective constable whom it would be wise not to resist. With an ease born of long practice they perform exercises on the padded floor of the gymnasium which would be enough to confine the average man to his bed for a few days. Coupled with regular outside drill, the exercises have produced men with well-developed muscles and general physical perfection. Indeed, many find on leaving the depot that their former shirt collars will not fit. The recruits have ben selected from all parts of New Zealand, the youngest being 21 years of age and the 1 oldest 26. The minimum height is sft 9in and the normal chest expansion 38in. The men are drawn from all walks in life; there are carpenters, motor mechanics, farmers and warehousemen. The standard of education is remarkably high. Several have passed the matriculation examination adn the Public Service examination, and one has passed the solicitor’s general knowledge section. Sport is well represented, and among the trainees aie footballers, cricketers, athletes, a champion diver, and a prominent amateur wrestler. Instruction is given in the classes on Statute Law, general police work, finger-print classification, and the handling of firearms. Examinations are hold regularly on police work.

first aid and life-saving, and a very high percentage of passes is obtained.

The depot is a big wooden building at the rear of the Wellington South police station. The classroom, the dining hall and the library are on the ground floor, while upstairs are the sleeping quarters. Each recruit has a plain but’ comfortable cubicle fitted with a clothes cupboard and shelf, and there are adequate wash-basins, showers and baths. Everything is kept scrupulously clean and the woodwork and linoleum on the floors give evidence of vigorous polishing. Most of the police officers in New Zealand have passed through the depot at one time or other, and the present instructor, Sergeant' G. Paine, was trained there in 1909. The depot was establishd more than 25 years ago, and the first man in charge was the late Commissioner J. O’Donovan. He was succeeded by the late SubInspector D. Gordon, who in turn was followed by Sergeant J. W. M. Dart and later Sergeant J. McNamara and Sub-Inspector H. Scott. From 1927 to 1930 the instructor was Inspector G. B. Edwards, then senior-sergeant, who is now stationed at Wellington.