POLICE RECRUITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21878, 14 August 1934, Page 8

POLICE RECRUITS

FACILITIES FOR TRAINING HINT OF DEPOT REOPENING EXCELLENT TYPE AVAILABLE [BX TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON. Monday The reopening of the police training depot at Mount Cook, Wellington, is understood to be under consideration, but the Minister in charge of tho Police Department, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, when questioned on the subject to-day, said he could not comment on it as it had not yet been placed before the Cabinet.

It is gathered that tho desire is' to reopen the depot next year. The depot has been closed since July, 1930, and thus facilities for initiating recruits into the routine of their duties have been reduced. The force has recently been strengthened and it is authoritatively learned that the reopening of tho depot has been recommended. It is argued in some quarters that the Police Department has been too long "the Cinderella of the Public Service."

Lack of facilities for the expeditious investigation of crime in the Auckland district has been the subject- of adverse comment by the superintendent of the district in his annual report for many years. It is generally admitted that the police force has given exceptionally good service in spite of its lack of modern equipment, and there are those occupying responsible posts in the force who urge that the prestige gained in the face of difficulties should not be lost by the continuance of a parsimonious policy. It is reported that recruits of a very good type are available. The educational standard for entry is a fifth standard certificate, but many of those

offering their services are young men with secondary school qualifications and a few have even attended for a year or two at a university college. Possibly the new policy in Britain in attracting police recruits of a higher educational type has resulted in men of similar .attainments coming forward in the Dominion.

Particularly in these circumstances it is felt that the reopening of the training depot will be a wise step, as it should ensure the specialised training of a very promising type of recruit from whom in later years vacancies in the commissioned ranks will be filled.