Identification Parade Case

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1949, Page 6

Identification Parade Case

WELLINGTON, Tfiu. (P.A.)—An account of the circumstances which led to the arrangement by the Auckland police of an identification parade for two men suspected of assaulting a taxi-driver was given in the House of Representatives yesterday by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), in his capacity as Minister in charge of the Police Department Mr Fx-aser was answering Mr T. E. Skinner (G—Tamaki), who had di'awn attention to the criticism by the Chief Justice (Sir Humphrey O’Leary) of the method used by the police in arranging the pai'ade.

Mr Fraser said a taxi-driver was assaulted and robbed by two men who had engaged him. He reached the police station in obvious need of medical attention. REFUSED Soon after the offence had been reported, a police officer saw two men answering the description of the offenders crossing Grafton Bridge. Being dissatisfied with their explanations, he took them to the police station, where they were told an identification parade would be arranged.

Both men absolutely refused to take part in any such parade. Because of the lateness of the hour, only, one or two civilians could be brought together, but a number of constables in plain clothes were available. These, with the one or two civilians, were seated in the detective office, where the two suspects were when the complainant entered and he at once identified the suspects as the men who had assaulted and robbed him. POLICE CONGRATULATED “If the suspects had consented to take part in a proper identification parade, one would have been arranged in accordance with the established practice, but owing to their refusal and the necessity to take the complainant to hospital for treatment, the matter could not be deferred,” said Mr Fraser. Mr M. Moohan (G—Petone) said • >w Zealand was a!, and in view of the ivcumsic.n,.- ne thought that the two men were •.'< " -s fair a chance *s possible. He congratulated the police on their quickness in apprehending them.