POLICE CONDUCT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 11 December 1940, Page 6

POLICE CONDUCT

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY HEARING OF EVIDENCE COMMENCES AT PALMERSTON NORTH [United Press Association] PALMERSTON N.. This Day. The hearing of evidence was commenced by the Commission of Inquiry into police investigations, the members being Mr Justice Ostler, Messrs H. H. Cornish, K.C. (Solicitor-General), j and H. F. O'Leary, K.C. (President of the Law Society). Counsel are Mr H. R. Biss, for the four police officers concerned, Mr W. P. Rollings on instructions from the Police Association for the detectives; and Mr A. T. Young for the young woman concerned and her family. Police Commissioner Cummings and Inspector Scott were also present. The name of the young woman was suppressed also all references to the j places of her occupation which might ! lead to her identification, witness being j referred to as Miss X. MISS X’S EVIDENCE In evidence Miss X said she was cooking the evening meal at her home when two men with suitcases came to the back door. They said they were detectives and they asked witness about a man who went in the railcar to Palmerston North. They asked if she had I given him a paper and witness said ; "yes.” They said they knew every- ; thing that had happened in Palmerston j North. One man asked if she had seen j two women on the station. Witness said ] "no.” The man said a newspaper reporter had seen her with women. | Newspaper reporters did not tell lies. ; The men were Detective-Sergeant Jar- , rold and Detective Allsopp. ' Witness’s father arrived and went on to the verandah with Detective-Ser-geant Jarrold. Detective Allsopp told witness not to worry, and that if she told the truth she would be all right. Detective-Sergeant Jarrold came back j and the two detectives started taking ! down a statement from witness on a typewriter. Nothing was said to witness that she need or need not make a statement. Several times witness was told not to worry. If she told the truth she would be all right. The detectives asked her about any letters and she said she had burnt them. They said it was funny for her to burn love letters, that she should tie them up with blue ribbon and keep them. Witness secured one letter she had received the day before and gave it to them. When witness’s mother and father came in for tea witness and the detectives left the kitchen. When witness’s mother came in a transfer was made to the ! sitting-room, the door of which was shut. j The making of the statement comI menced at about 5.30 p.m. j Mr Young: “Did they tell you they I were going to prosecute you or might ! prosecute you?” ! Witness: “No. They did not tell me.” Mr Young: “Did they indicate to you that they were going to prosecute anybody else?” “No.” Miss X added that it was about 10.30 p.m. when they came out of the room. Meantime Detective Allsopp got cups of tea for three and persuaded witness also to eat. He got a rug for her. The detectives read the statement through and asked if it were correct, if there were anything witness wanted crossed out; also to sign it. She did so and they shook hands and told her not to worry and go back to her work again. They did not tell her or leave the impression that she would be prosecuted. A week later Det-Sergt. Jarrold rang up and said she would have to go to court. When Mr Biss was proceeding to cross-examine witness in considerable detail relating to the interview, Mr Justice Ostler asked was sfcch absolutely necessary. So far as His Honour could see the girl had not made a single charge of impropriety against these police officers. Witness to Mr Biss said that the officers were very good to her and even persuaded her to get a doctor at that late hour. The father of the girl gave evidence. He said he did not get the impression that the detectives were being unfair and he saw no bullying occur. Witness said to one detective when he came out of the room, “You are a long time.” The reply was: “It's a long story.” Another member of the family came home well after ten o’clock and said, It was a shame.” He threatened to go “and pull them all out” of the room. When the girl came out she “properly broke down.” Witness did not have any impression his daughter was to be charged.