THE POLICE FORCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10559, 9 April 1920, Page 2

THE POLICE FORCE

STATEMENTS DENIED COMMISSIONER O’DONOVAN EXPLAINS POSITION. Dealing yesterday with tho persist-v ent rumours which have gained currency that the strength of tho New Zealand Police Force is not being adequately maintained, Mr J. O’Donovan, Police Commissioner, informed a “Times” representative that the al-, legations that the force has fallen aWay in personnel are incorrect. “There is no ground,’’ he added, "for tlie statement that the resignations are out of proportion when compared with those of pre-war days. As a matter of fact, the percentage of withdrawals, including withdrawals on account of sickness, dismissals, retirements on superannuation, death, for domestic and other reasons, is lower than it was in many pre-war years." In support of this statement, he quoted the following .official figures from the annual Parliamentary reports;—

In each case the figures are taken up to March 31st. . LOSS MERELY NORMAL. Commissioner (FDonovau added that the annual loss to the force, on account of all' withdrawals, had been very much the sahie for many years past. For instance, in 1908 there were 60 withdrawals; in 1909, 59; in 1910, 03; and in 1911, When ail ranks totalled 788, 60. He pointed out that tho Military Service Act came into force towards the end of 1916, and that the last squad of trained recruits of- five men only, was discharged from the Police Training Depot in December, 1916. From then on, owing to ■ the operations of the Military Service Act, recruiting for the frooe practically ceased for the time, mid, but for the fact that special legislation was passed to provide f(Jr the appointment of temporary constables, there was no*, doubt that the Police Force Would have been in a bad way by now. Recruiting again commenced towards the end of 1918 (following the declaration of -the termination of hostilities), 'with mote than a little success, for from April Ist, 1919, to April Ist, 1920 127 new constables were appointed, and of these 22 had since resigned for various -reasons. Objections had been raised by writers in certain North Island newspapers, said the Commissioner, to the fact that the department was now accepting men of the age of twenty years. Actually, he said, that had always been the custom and _ in, some cases men Who _ had not attained that age were admitted to the force. ' He mentioned the case of late-Coininissioher Tunbridge, , who had been sworn in as a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary at the age of seventeen years. TRANSFERS, AND PROMOTIONS. In reference to the questions of transfer' and: promotion among members of the detective force, the Commissioner, explained that provision had been made to enable detectives and detective-sergeants who so wished to revert to uniform rank, and so gain promotion in this branch of the service. Several such transfers, particulars of which have already appeared in the “Times,’’ have How been made, and others will fellow. A number of transfers will follow as a corollary, and it will be necessary to promote probationary detectives to full rank, and to fill itheir places- .by . the appointment of constables from the uniform of plainclothes branches. “If,’’ he stated in conclusion.- “the applications continue to come m m they have done.for some months past it will be possible to reopen the training depot within a short time.”

Total RosieTotal Ybar. ' strength. nations. loss. 1914 ;. ...;.. 870 3466 1915 .. ...... 911 19 43 1916 .. ...... 916 30 o5 1917 .. ...... 898 41 60 1918 .. 843 34 60 1919 .. 791 30 62 1920 .. 915 37 60