Resignations from the Police Force

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 283, 30 November 1945, Page 4

Resignations from the Police Force

Prime Minister’s Explanation to House (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 29. The Prime Minister au'd Minister in Charge of tlie Police Force (Rt. Hon. P. Fraser), in a written reply to Mr. T. L. Macdonald (Mataura) and Mr. A. »S. ►Sutherland (Hauraki) in the House of Representatives yesterday, said it was proposed to build the Police Force up to adequate strength as suitable recruits became available. Since the Commissioner’s report was written, the wartime duties of the police in connection with wharves and shipping had been discontinued, releasing a number of police for other duties.

Mr. Fraser said that officers of the Police Force in charge of districts had been instructed to enrol suitable recruits. The pay and conditions in the Police Force were better now then ever previously. The pay and allowances of a constable on appointment amounted to £4OB a year, which compared very favourably with other occupations. Many of the resignations to which the questioners had referred were those of temporary constables who were appointed during the war period, some of whom were not up to the physical standard set for recruits before the war and which had now been reinstated. Force Not Underpaid.

Mr. Fraser, supplementing his written answer, said that, while there might be some members of the Police Force who wanted to get out, he desired to dispel any impression that there was discontent in the Police Force. Mr. Fraser said that, while it was always open for the Police Force to make representations on working conditions, and while the Government was always ready to consider these, nobody could claim that the force was underpaid. With a house allowance of 10s a week for married men the minimum pay was £434 a year. It was correct that this was for a period of 20 years. Thero might be need for some adjustment. Sergeants received from £509 to £536, senior sergeants and detectives £583 to £6lO, subinspectors £630 to £679, inspectors £733 to £773, and superintendents £BOO to £B2O. Mr. Fraser said that lie did not suggest the Police Force was overpaid, but there could be no suggestion that it was underpaid. If the men felt that there was a need for improved conditions they were quite entitled to seek them through their association. To suggest that there was discontent in the Police Force was not only misrepresentation but also was a serious reflection on the men. The Prime Minister said the Commissioner, who was well known not only for liis ability as a detective, but also for his sympathetic approach to problems of the men working under him, would always be ready to consider the men’s representations. Mr. R. M. Algie (Remuera) said that if there was discontent matters should be put right, and if there had been many resignations the newspaper reports should be investigated. Mr. Fraser: We know the causes and there are no resignations. Wo are not Willing to let men out of the force. “No Future in the Force.” Mr. Algie said that the resignations were-due to the fact that there was no future in the Police Force and there was insufficient inducement for members to remain. Quitb a number of returned servicemen had turned down service in the Police Force after comparing the conditions with those ruling in other employment. Recently, ho had 1 read a Judge’s comments on the detection of crime by an officer who had used violet-ray equipment. Air. Algie said lie. had been told that the equipment was the officer’s personal property, and there was no corresponding equipment issued by the department.

Air. Fraser said that the Commissioner of Police nad full authority to procure the most modern equipment. Air. Algie: I hope the Commissioner will exercise that authority. Mr. Algie went on to say that there were insufficient cars for the use ot the police in Auckland and suggested that the number be increased, lie had read in a report that the detection of crime was 95 per cent, successful, but when he congratulated a police officer on this accomplishment the latter had just laughed. Air. T. 11. AlcCombs (Lyttelton) said he thought, that some additional equipment could be made available for the Police Force, but had the member for Remuera forgotten that the xvholo of the resources of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research were available to the police? Mr. Algie: How long does that take to get into operation?

Air. AlcCombs: How long does it take to ask for it? Air. AlcCombs said that it seemed that the member for Remuera desired to create the impression that everything was wrong in the Police Force. Air. {Sutherland said it was disturbing to see so many resignations from the Police Force. Air. McCombs: How many resignations have you seen? Anomalies in Regulations. Arr. Sutherland said that there were many anomalies in the regulations and he hoped the Alinister would sec that they were straightened out. He made a plea for increased travelling expenses for constables in rural areas with their own cars. Air. E. L. Cullen (Hawke’s Bay) suggested that consideration be given to the drawing of recruits for the Police Force from the Maori Battalion. Mr. F. Langstone (AVaimarino) said that in the main there was not a large measure of discontent 'in the Police Force. There had been resignations, but it was all humbug and moonshine to attempt to present the public with reports of wide discontent. The members of the Police Force had their own association to investigate complaints. Now that the Avar Avas over he thought that there Avould be numbers of men who Avould enrol in the force. There probably had been any number who wanted to join, but were found to be unsuitable.