EFFICIENCY OF POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19417, 27 August 1926, Page 12

EFFICIENCY OF POLICE.

NEW EXAMINATION SYSTEM. APPOINTMENT OF A BOARD. ENSURING A "SQUARE DEAL." [BY TELEGRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Tharsday. For the first time in the history of the New Zealand police force the old-time method of examination among the uniformed branch and detectives, with the commissioner as judge, is to be done away with and an entirely, new system, contrived by Mr. W. B. Mcllveney, the commissioner, substituted for it. Since 1913 examinations have been held among both branches of the service on law, detective work, uniform work, literature and other subjects. At these examinations the commissioner has always ruled and his. decision in allotting marks has been given as final. - - • - - • Now,. however,, an examination board, comprising a stipendiary magistrate, as chairman and', two. commissioned officers of the police, one of whom has spent the whole of his service in the uniform branch and the other in the-detective branch, has been set up to deal with the examination . papers. , The questions on police work will be put to the men by the commissioner, but the board will deal with the papers after the examination and award marks. At the examinations, which are to be held next month, Mr. W. G. Riddell. S.M., the senior magistrate of New Zealand, will preside. In spector S. Rawle, of Wellington, who is not only an expert in both branches, but was .for four years in charge of the detectives in Auckland, will be on the board representing the Criminal Investigation Branch, while Mr. W. Wohlmann, superintendent in charge of the Auckland district, will represent the uniform branch. " There are 12,000 men in the force throughout New Zealand," said the commissioner to-day, " These men all go for examination and, by having a board to deal with them, the suspicion which j perhaps may arise in the minds of some that they are not getting a fair deal will be done away.with. All the men in the force, so faj as I am concerned, must have a square deal. I want to make this fine force of mine one large, happy family, and in order to do that they must ba contented and know that all is fair. In the police . services promotion comes by merit, ability and seniority, in that order. The regulations say that a man with long. service : and good conduct must give way to the educated" man with merit, zeal, smartness and ability. Of course, seniority is not ignored, and with two men equal in service and brains the senior man would go ahead. On the other hand, the one who is more efficient and better ablo for his duty gets the job." At the coming examination the subjects in law will be set by Mr. W.- G. Riddell, S.M., and the literary subjects will be given by Mr. R. Darroch, headmaster of. the Terrace School.