THE POLICE COMMISSION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIV, Issue 10292, 3 November 1909, Page 4

THE POLICE COMMISSION.

MR BISHOP'S REPORT. (Per Press Association.) Wellington, November 3. The Police Commission's report was tabled this afternoon. : Mr Bishop recommends the closer supervision of training depots at nights; fuller inquiry into candidates' antecedents; the extension of the probationary period to three months; married probationers to receive 7s 6d a day; no recruit, to be finally enrolled until lie has. completed three months.

—Re Pay.— Mr Bishop recommends that the pay be 8s a day, with increments of 6d a day every three years to 9s Gd: senior constables 10s a day. He suggests a need of more elasticity with regard to the educational qualifications, and thinks positions should not be: "offered" to men. Transfers arc too frequent. Weekly classes should be held for men of under two years' service. —The Morale of the Force. — • The Commissioner finds the conduct of the force generally good, but an amount of dt inking goes on amongst the -younger members, and this offence has "been treated too leniently. There is'little to cavil at in the morality of the force. - The Commissioner considers that political influence has sometimes been used oil behalf of candidates for the force, but he scouts the idea of sectarian or masonic influence. He finds that the system of promotion has caused discontent, and recommends that no constable over 45 years should be made a sergeant. He recommends the abolition of the rank of station-sergeant and the substitution of the rank of senior-ser-geant, from whom and the chief detectives the appointments to sub-inspec-tor should be made. The Commissioner recommends that the headquarters staff in Wellington be transferred to outside duty and replaced by a staff of civil servants. Annual leave should be 15 days, with a travelling allowance of 8s a day. Recruits should be instructed in rifleshooting. Mr Bishop does not favor the police appeal board being set up, but tliinks departmental inquiries should be on oath. —Mr Dinnic's Position.— Regarding Sir Dinnie's control the re-port-contains a number of references of such -a nature that Mr Arnold, M.P., on being interviewed on Mr Bishop's finding, says he (Mr Arnold) considers Mr Dinnie must resign, and also thai Sub-inspector Wright, of the headquarters staff, must fie reduced or ferredMr Arnold suggests Mr Bishop himself as .the best man possible to fill the position of Commissioner of Police. —As For Oamaru. — Regarding Oamaru, Mr Bishop's report states: "Matters in Oamaru in connection with police administration had been reported as not quite satisand I perused the papers in connection with certain complaints there. On the 28th November, 1908, the Commissioner wrote as follows: 'lnspector Gillies, —Unfortunately since Sergeant Griffith took charge of Qamaru we have had nothing but t{-Quble, and I quite agree with you that a complete change is absolutely essential; ' Let Constables Nuttall and Murphy be transferred at once to Chfistchurcli and replace them by two Constables from there. I will transfer the' sergeant as soon as I can make necessary arrangements, as this state of affairs cannot be allowed to exist-.' Comment on this is not necessary. The minute was written nearly a year ago, and the sergeant is still there."