POLICE SHOOTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22437, 5 June 1936, Page 8

POLICE SHOOTING

VICTORIAN OFFICER CONTRADICTORY STORIES REPORTED ATTACK BY BANDITS [from our own correspondent] MELBOURNE. May 29 Public confidence in Victorian police force administration has been shaken by events which have followed the shooting of Superintendent J. O'C. Brophy, chief of the Criminal Investigation Branch, at Royal Park a week ago, and a strong agitation has been made for an inquiry by a Royal Commission, not only into the circumstances of the shooting, but also into police methods generally. Uneasiness was caused by the contradictory nature of bulletins issued by the police. The first one announced that Mr. Brophy had been accidentally shot while handling a revolver in his office. Later it was stated officially that he was shot by car bandits at Royal Park and that that fact had been suppressed earlier to help the polico in capturing the men. Commissioner's Statement But a few days later it was revealed that the police were not bothering to continue the search for the reputed bandits, and a large section of the public is now frankly incredulous about the bandit story. The Chief Commissioner of Police, Sir Thomas Blamev, who does not readily assent to be interviewed by newspaper representatives, supplemented the two official statements in an interview in which he said: *'lt is apparent that, following information received by Mr. Brophy at his home on Friday night (May 22) concerning a reported hold-up, he requisitioned a friend to drive him in a private motor-car to Royal Park. When the car drew up at the roadside near the zoo and its lights were switched off two men, both of whom had handkerchiefs for masks drawn over the lower portions of their faces, appeared beside them. One 'was armed and the other flashed an electric torch on Brophy. "What Can We Do?" "Apparently Brophy was recognised," said Sir Thomas Blarney, "and one of the men fired at him. Brophy twisted in his seat and, drawing his pistol, returned the fire. As his companion started the engine and drove off several shots were fired into the back of the car.'- One of these, it seems, punctured a tyre. After driving some distance on a flat tyre, a passing motorist was stopped and he took Brophy to hospital." Asked whether detectives would continue an investigation in an endeavour to find the alleged attackers, Sir Thomas, shrugging his shoulders, said: " What can we do? The men were .masked and the light of a torch was flashed in Brophy's face so that he had no opportunity of identifying the men." Report to the Cabinet A report on the shooting was ordered by thq Chief Secretary, Brigadier Bourchier, from Sir Thomas Blarney. This report has been lodged, but its contents have not been divulged. The Cabinet is expected to decide on Tuesday next whether a commission of inquiry should be appointed. Already it has been indicated by several Ministers that they consider this course necessary, and three former Chief Secretaries, who in that capacity administered tho Police Department, have expressed strong views in support of such action. In the meantime Mr. Brophy has left the hospital, where he remained for only a few days, and is reported to be recovering rapidly from the effects of the four bullet wounds.

A cablegram published .yesterday stated that the Victorian Government had decided to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the matter.