TWENTY-TWO POLICE FOUND GUILTY

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1936, Page 7

TWENTY-TWO POLICE FOUND GUILTY

probe into betting RAIDS IN N.S.W.

■c I United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright .] (Received 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 1. The report of Mr Justice Marlcell, who, as a Royal Commissioner, held a long inquiry into illegal betting and allegations against prosecuting police in respect of raids, was tabled in Parliament today. As the result of the report, seven police sergeants and 15 constables will be suspended from duty immediately. His Honour 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, and one sergeant guilty of wrongful entry into private premises.

The judge severely criticised the conduct of other members of the force. In the course of the report, the commissioner stated that the inquiry had revealed a state of things which would have a very disturbing effect on the mind of the community.

The evidence had disclosed that members of the public had been convicted of betting offences on perjured testimony and that certain police officers had been guilty of conduct unworthy of the trust placed in them by the community.

The Premier, Mr Stevens, announced in the Legislative Assembly the suspension from duty of- ail the members of the Police Force found guilty, as well as those members of the force whose conduct was the sutar ject of adverse comment The wrongful convictions of members of the public would be annulled He added that the report would be referred to the Crown Solicitor, with a view to appropriate further action being taken.