POLICE FORCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8481, 16 July 1913, Page 7

POLICE FORCE

APPEAL BOARD PROPOSED CONTROL AND ADMINISTRATION* The Police Force Bill, in charge of the Hon. A. L. Herdman, was introduced into the House of KepresouLatiTes yesterday. It provides that the Governor may trom time to time appoint a fit and

proper person to be Commissioner of Police, who shall have general control of the force; and, in the case ol uie illness or absence of that officer,, appoint tho officer next in rank, or ally oilier person he thinks tit, to act as Commissioner. The Governor may also appoint superintendents, inspectors, sub-inspec-tors, and such other ouiceis ns be deem* necessary. The Commissioner, mill the Minister’s approval, may appoint sergeaiuo and constables ol difierciit grade. The Governor may suspend, reduce, discharge, or dismiss the Commissioner, and superintendent, inspector, sub-inspector, or other officer guilty ol conduct rendering it unfitting that ho should remain in the force. Similar power is vested in the Commissioner regarding constables. No person shall hold office in the force till he has taken an oath promising “well and trnly tc serve the King, without favour or affection, malice or ill-will, until I am legally discharged,” with other formulae for preservation of peace and law. Every person taking this oath shall be required to serve at tho current rate of pay; and the agreement shall not be set aside for want of reciprocity, but shall bo determined by discharge, dismissal or removal from office, or by resignation. If any question arises as to the right of any member to hold or execute his; office, common reputation .shall bo . deemed evidence of such right, and the production of a written appointment in proof shall not bo necessary. Deserters' may be arrested without warrant, and lined .ICO. One monthV notice of intention to resign is required. Inquiries may _bo made by appointed persons (one being a member of the force) into breaches of duty, and the Minister, on receiving tho report, may impose a fine not exceeding jE2O, or reduce the officer in xauk, or recommend the Governor to dismiss him. ... Where a sergeant is accused of misconduct or insubordination, tho Commissioner may direct any auperintondqpt or inspector to inquire into the charge, and impose a fine not exceeding JBS, or recommend dismissal or reduction, if the change bo proved. Inspectors may similarly impose fines up'to £3 on policemen guilty of breaches of duty, improper conduct, etc. Witnesses may be summoned at such inquiries. . _ . Appeals by dissatisfied officers accused, of olleuces may be made to a board of appeal, nominated by the Minister, and consisting'of a Magistrate (chairman), an officer, senior or equal in rank to the appellant, and some other person not a. member of the force. Tho board may summon witnesses, and shall report to tho Minister. With frivolous or - vexatioos appeals. tho board may order appellants to pay the cost of the appeal. Any member of the force who is convicted of any crime punishable by imprisonment. any infamous offence, or who keeps a house for the sale of wine, beer, or spirituous liquors, or is directly or indirectly interested in any such bouse, shall be dismissed, with forfeiture of all pay, etc. Any member of tho force who receives any bribe, pecuniary or otherwise, or who in any manner aids or connives at -tie escape or attempted escape of any prisoner in lawful custody, or deserts bis post, or assaults his superior in rank in the force, or neglects or refuses to obey or execute any process lawfully directed bo be by him executed, shall, on conviction for any such offence, bo liable to dismissal or to a fine not exceeding twentv-five wounds. On resignations or dismissal officers shall return all Government property in their possession. Penalties aie provided for outside persons harbouring police property unlawfully, conniving at breaches of regulations, and for obtaining admission to the force by laho pretences. , , , No member of the force shall during the time he continues in the force take any part in any election of a member of the General Assembly otherwise tlian by voting, or in any manner mliuonce or seek to influence any otfier elector at any ouch election. The. penalty for breach shall be nob-less -than -I—i nor more than -AJldO, - IThe Minister may appoint committees of inquiry, consisting of officers of the force, to investigate claims regarding nay. clothing, leave of absence, etc. The Minister may_also make rewards for extraordinary diligence or exertion, compensation for injuries received in performance of duty. Unclaimed, goods lawfully in possession of the police shall be sold bv auction, and tho proceeds paid into the Public Service Superannuation. Fund. , . , . ~ Any member of the force, when m tho lawful execution of Ms duty, may Mil upon any male bystander osr passerby, not being under tho age of eighteen years, to aid or assist him to secure or 'convey any prisoner in his charge to a police tSafion or other place, when reasonable necessity exists for calling for such assistance; and every such pOTSba who fails to aid or assist such member of tho force when so called upon is liable to a fin” not exceeding, ton pounds. Persons holding communications with, out authority with prisoners or persons in custody may be arrested without warrant, and ore liable to a fine not exceeding .£2O. The commissioner or magistrate may appoint special constables m. times of tumult or riot. Sucb special constables need not reside in tho district where their services are required. .Penalties are provided for refusal to subscribe the engagement for faithful discharge Of duty on being appointed a special constable. Payments may be made to special constables. . ' Tho Police Force Act, 1908, is repealed. and sections 32-45 of the Justices of the Peace Act. 1909. relating to note and special constables, are also repealed.