War Against Crime

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 75, 30 March 1936, Page 8

War Against Crime

NEW SCHEME IN MELBOURNE SPECIAL DETECTIVE FORCE MELBOURNE, March 20. An important move in the war against crime in Melbourne was announced this week by the Commissioner of Police, Sir Thomas Blarney, whose policy of crime detection and suppression was recently the subject of lively controversy, particularly because of the allegation that he was lulling the public into a false seuse of security by not announcing for their protection news of major offences against persons and •*— —<- ■ - ' Decentralisation is the essence of Sir Thomas Blarney’s new scheme. Seven new divisions of the criminal investigation branch have been established in the metropolitan area, making with existing headquarters a total of eight divisions. Each of tho seven divisions will be in charge of a sub-inspector, who will be responsible to the superintendent of the No. 1 (headquarters) division.

A special force of 15G detectives and plain-clothes constables lias been constituted for work in these new divisions, and they will be relieved of all routine duties so that they may apply their efforts wholly to the detection and suppression of crime. So that they may be summoned readily in an emergency the men in the special force will live in or near the districts in which their duties lie. The central force at headquarters, besides being responsible for work in the inner city area, will also be available for calls to the country when special investigations are deemed necessary there. Sir Thomas Biamey believes that decentralised investigation will result in increased efficiency and will save much time in the initiation of inquiries bv detectives. Under the present system, which will cease on March 30, a crime in one of the suburbs is usually investigated in the first instance by a uniformed constable. If he thinks if necessary he notilies the plain-clothes police, who may eventually have to seek assistance from detectives. Such delays, it is anticipated, will be eliminated under the new plan. The wireless patrol service, which is regarded as the most efficient unit in the Victorian force, will continue to operate as at present, and will be available to meet emergency situations in any- division. The powerful cars which are used for this work, are almost as conspicuous in Melbourne as lire engines, and the sounding of bells secures for them the right of the road at any time. In the detection of smash-and-grab thieves the wireless patrol service has proved specially valuable. Indeed, its general advantages are so obvious that it is strange that the system has not been introduced in the larger cities ot New Zealand. The cars maintain a constant cruise of the metropolitan area, and are available to speed toward the scene of reported crime at a moment’s notice by maintaining continuous wireless contact with, headquarters.