POLICE SUSPENDED

Kaikoura Star, Volume LVI, Issue 96, 7 December 1936, Page 4

POLICE SUSPENDED

UNWORTHY OF TRUST SYDNEY, December 1. The report of Judge Mankell, who, I as a Royal Commission, lengthily inquired into illegal betting operations and allegations against prosecuting police, has been tabled in Parliament, As a result of the report seven police sergeants and 15 constables have been suspended from duty. Judge Markell found that. 15 persons had been wrongfully convicted. Two sergeants and eight constables were adjudged guilty of “framing” and giving false evidence, one constable guilty of wrongly inducing a person to plead guilty, two constables guilty of giving false evidence before the commission, ami one sergeant guilty of wrongful entry into private . premises. Judge Markell severely criticised the conduct of others. The Premier, Mr B. S. B. Stevens, announced in the Legislative Assembly the suspension from duty of all members of the police force found guilty, as well as those members of the force whose conduct was the subject of adverse comment. Wrongful convictions of the public would immediately bo annulled. The Premier added that Judge Markell’s report would be referred to the Crown solicitor -with a view to appropriate further action] against any police involved in the, Royal Commissioners’ report. Judge Markell, in the course of the. report, stated that the inquiry revealed a state of things which would have a very disturbing effect on the mind of the community. The evidence disclosed that members of the public had [been convicted of betting offences upon perjured testimony, and that certain police officers and constables had been guilty of conduct unworthy of the trust placed in them by the community