THE POLICE FORCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6330, 2 March 1882, Page 5

THE POLICE FORCE.

At the police parade yesterday Inspector Thomson informed the men that he had recommended several of them for promotion. This is a step in the right direction, and not taken a moment too soon. Much discontent , prevailed amongst the men because of the tardiness of promotion, which by the regulations they are entitled to. After a constable has been in the force three years he is supposed to be entitled to rank as second-class constable, with an increase of 6d per day to his wages. At the expiration of five years, he should be a first-class constable, with a further rise of sixpence. But as far as Auckland is concerned, this regulation has been a dead letter. To become a thoroughly good policeman requires intelligence, time, and study. There are volumes whose pages number hundreds, with the contents of which the constabulary are supposed to be quite conversant. But as these books at best are as dry as dust, if a constable finds that the man who is well versed in this dreary literature is just as well |off as the veriest new chum, he will naturally shun the duty books, and give preference to the lighter and more interesting reading to be found in novels, or works ■ for which he has a predilection. Several of the finest men in the force, after waiting patiently with that hope which maketh the heart sick, have resigned, whilst others have announced their intention of doing so. Only two or three weeks ago Constables Kennedy, Menzies, and Dugan, who had been in the force for five, six, and three and a-lialf years respectively, left for the sole reason that they were only thirdclass constables, and saw no chance of promotion. It was universally admitted by all who knew Kennedy that he was an excellent constable, and a straightforward respectable man. Dugan also was a gentlemanly, Tairlyeducated young man, and Menzies bore a good character. Of the constables in Auckland at present the length of service and status of a few may be mentioned. We could mention the names, but consider it would not be advisable to do so. Amongst the third class are one who has been seven years, three who have been six years, one years, and one 3i years in the service. Of the second-class : One has been 9i years, another 9 years, and another 6 years in the force; the last-named being an actingdetective, and pretty smart at his duty. Another anomaly is that whilst one of the clerks in the office has been a constable for nine years, has seen considerable outside duty both in the country and in the street, yet is only second-class. Another, who, repute says, is not superior as a clerk, and whose feet proved too tender for street duy, is first-class, although only years a member of the force. _It is perfectly ridiculous that a person fulfilling the duties which Mr. Pardy does, and possessing the knowledge pertaining to his business, should be only a sergeant, and not the highest rank at that. There are two sergeants—Clarke and Martin—whose energy, attention, and shrewdness are deserving of recognition. It is most galling to the Auckland constables to find constables coming from the South, whose length of service is far less than their own, holding a superior rank. The constables argue, with much force, that if they are not fit to receive their grades at the time specified, they are not worth retaining in the force.