REPORTS BY POLICE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 64, 13 February 1936, Page 9

REPORTS BY POLICE.

VERIFICATION ON OATH. A JUDGE’S REQUIREMENTS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 12. A statement that as far as he was concerned police officers would be expected to verify on oath, if necessary, reports that they gave about accused persons was made by Air Justice Fair in the Supreme Court to-day. The matter arose because Air Snllb van, appearing for a prisoner, had complained that, whereas in .England the police went into the witness-box and had to submit reasons for their statements, in this country a police report Was submitted to the Court, and the person responsible did not airpear. “If any of the ■ statements in a police report are called in question by" the person concerned, then the practice I intend to follow,” said His Honour, “is that the officers making the report will verify it on oath and may he cross-examined if counsel so desire. A report can be challenged and has to be established in that manner.” Air Sullivan said he was exceedingly pleased to hear that statement, because the point of procedure was an important one, and until now that course had not been followed in New Zealand.