POLICE COMMISSIONER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20604, 1 July 1930, Page 12

POLICE COMMISSIONER.

MR. McILVENEY RESIGNS.

■NO EXPLANATION GIVEN.

LONG SERVICE WITH THE FORCE.

[by TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.]

WELLINGTON, Monday. Following a meeting of Cabinet to-day, the Prime Minister, the Hon. G. W. Forbes, announced that the resignation had been received of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. W. B. Mcllveney. The Prime Minister said that he had nothing to say concerning the commissioner's resignation. Mr. Mcllveney had personally handed in his resignation to the Government with a request that ho should be relieved of his duties and it would take effect immediately. Mr. Mcllveney also declined to make any statement. Mr. William Bernard Mcllveney, the first New Zealand-born Commissioner of Police, rose from the lowest rung of the ladder a3 junior constable to the highest position in the force. He was born at Greymouth 63 years ago. Starting his career as a school teacher in 1881, he joined the Post and Telegraph Department in 1885, but left three year3.later to go to Australia, where he was in commercial life for three years. In 1890 ho returned to New Zealand and joined the Defence Department in October, 1892. In 1893 Mr Mcllveney was transferred to the police force. After four years in the uniformed ranks he was placed in the detective office at Invercargill. In 1899 his promotion to detective wa3 confirmed Mr. Mcllveney was promoted to the rank of chief-detective on February 1, 1907, and was transferred to the commissioner's staff for the investigation of special cases under the immediate direction of tho then commissioner, Mr. W. Dinnie. From 1910 to 1912 he was on the staff of tho commissioner, Mr. Waldegrave. He was promoted in 1915 to the rank of sub-in-spector, and in 1919 to inspector. In 1924, he was promoted superintendent at Wellington and two years later was appointed commissioner.

THE SENIOR OFFICERS. FOUR SUPERINTENDENTS. The superintendents of police in order of seniority below Mr. McHveney are a3 follows:—?>Ir. W. G. Wohlrnann, Auckland; Mr. A. T. Emerson, Wellington; Mr. E. Eales, Christchnrch; and Mr. J. C. S. Willis, Dunedin. Sir. Wohlrnann and Mr. Emerson were appointed superintendents on February 1, 1926, Mr. Eale3 being appointed on March 1, 1926, and Mr. Willis on January 1, 1923. Since 1912, the office of commissioner has been held by New Zealand-trained police officers. Until about, 1895, the office was held by military officers of the armed constabulary, who were retained during the period - of transition from a military force to a civil one. Colonel Hume, a prisons officer from England, was commissioner about 1893, his resignation being brought about by the findings of a commission which investigated the police organisation and control. Ho was followed by Colonel <! B. Tunbridge, a Scotland Yard-traii;«d detective, who had retired in England. Colonel Tunbridge was succeeded by Mr. W. Dinnie, another Scotland Yard man.

On April 17, 1912, Mr. John Cullen was appointed to the position of commissioner, and since that time the office has been held by New Zealand-trained men. Mr. Cullen was succeeded by Mr. John O'Donovan, Mi-. A. H. Wright later being appointed.