POLICE TRANSFERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 March 1937, Page 14

POLICE TRANSFERS

VICTIMISATION DENIED. [per press association.] WELLINGTON, March 16. The Minister in Charge of the Police Department ?.(Hon. P. .Fraser) issued the following statement to' the Press:— “My attention has been directed to a report from Auckland to the effect that members of the police force there strongly resented certain recent transfers, and claimed that they amounted to victimisation of prominent members of the newly-formed Police Association.- The assertion is without the slightest foundation. It is difficult to understand how . .any sensible person could fabricate such nonsense. “The Police Association was welcomed by the Government, and was formed with its direct encouragement. Cordial relations have existed between myfeelf and the Association since its formation, and will continue. At present certain representations made by the Association for improvements in conditions in the force are receiving consideration. “I have already clearly indicated that each and every member' is entitled to take part in the work of the Association wherever he may happen to be stationed. In such circumstances it is simply stupid even to suggest that members would be penalised for taking a prominent part in the Association’s activities. “The Press report referred to included this paragraph: ‘No secret has been made by members of the Association that there is a strong feeling that the Commissioner, Mr. Cummings, has not been helpful in hastening the smooth running of the Association.’ This statement is also incorrect and grossly unfair to the Commissioner. “Mr. Cummings has been consistently friendly towards the Association, and particularly helpful in regard to the necessary steps preceding its formation. To my own personal knowledge he has been invariably fair and sympathetic in his dealings with members of the force. It is, of course, his duty to- see that discipline and efficiency are maintained, and he can be expected to carry out his duty with that end in view, regardless of adverse oi’ unfair criticism. “When men are enrolled in the police force they quite clearly understand their own private convenience must be subordinated to the public interest, and must be prepared to be stationed in any part of the Dominion where their services can best be utilised. Although fair consideration is given to genuine representations by members of the force in respect to hardship that may be entailed by a transfer, the paramount consideration must remain the efficiencj r of the force, and it is a condition of the service that members must acquiesce in the decisions reached.

“It will be generally agreed that so much of the public well-being depends on the efficient working of the police force that strict discipline is necessary in its ranks, and this must be maintained, although at the same time the men are given every opportunity, without hindrance, of acting co-opera-tively in their association.”