BEHIND THE SCENES.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10725, 24 October 1928, Page 5

BEHIND THE SCENES.

BRITISH POLICE METHODS

United Prese Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright

(Australian Press Assn.)

LONDON,' Oct. 22

Sir Archibald Bodkin, giving evidence before the Police Commission, took the public behind the scene in several famous murder cases. He mentioned tlie Vraquien murder, of Byfleet publican Jones, and.the Gutteridge ease. ' Lord Lee said that apparently the police charged Browne and Kennedy with theft when they were really concerned about the murder. They had the murder charge up their sleeves, hut got at Browne and Ken* nedy by charging them with lesser crimes.

Sir Archibald Bodkin raised his. hand in a gesture of protest and sai<* he could nor accept the expression “Got at.” It was in the men’s own interest to explain the possession of revolvers at the earliest opportunity. Lord Lee asked, was it considered convenient when a man was suspected of a grave crime to charge him with a lesser offence in order to have a better opportunity of questioning him?

Sir Reginald Poole added “in order to get him under lock and key.” Sir Archibald Bodkin replied; “There are cases when the_ police suspect a man. but if tlie police .find he has committed another "crime it is their duty to arrest him. He can then he questioned regarding the other matter under lock and key.” He added: “I think this is a first-rate procedure from the public viewpoint. Sir Archibald Bodkin emphatically denied the existence of the third degree, declaring that the judges had never once sustained such a plea. Lord Lee remarked that it was oneperson’s'word against another's. Sir Archibald Bodkin replied: “It is the court's business to discover credibility.” Sir Reginald Poole suggested that ,-i poiiceifian’s good" character helped, him against a prisoner. Sir Archibald Bodkin :' “Put bluntly. that’s perjury.”- - -■ Sir Reginald Poole: The safeguards do not prove that a policeman does not commit perjury. Sir Archibald Bodkin expressed the opinion that it was unlikely that an officer would deceive judge,* counsel, or jury. Sir Reginald Poole asked under what statute were people‘detained. Sir Archibald Bodkin: There is no statute. It is practice and common-

sense. . , . ... , Commissioner Pick: It is illegal

Sir "Reginald Poole: Tt is not sanctioned hv statute. : Sir Archibald Bodkin: A great many things in our law do not have the sanction of statute, and a good thing. too. He expressed the opinion that the notice were fully competent to interpret the true sense of people’s statements. lord Lee said Sir Archibald Bodkin was inclined to attribute superman powers to policemen. Few people were able to interpret the human mind.