WAR ON CRIME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27388, 13 May 1950, Page 6

WAR ON CRIME

Operations Of Police Force NEW DEVELOPMENTS * Special Mobile Squads PA WELLINGTON, May 12. A change in the police uniform, the establishment of special investigation squads similar to overseas homicide squads, the setting up of new police departments, and many other matters of general interest were decided at a conference in Wellingtoth this week of commissioned officers of the Police Force. < A summary of the conference business was given by the Commissioner of Police, Mr J. Bruce Young, at a press conference today. The conference unanimously decided on a change of the police uniform, said Mr Young. The helmet is to be retained, but the , stand-up collar on the tunics is to be replaced by an open tunic with lapels, allowing for a collar and tie. The shirt will be of dark air force blue, and the tie navy blue of an uncreasable variety. Mr Young said the new' tunic could be more easily tailored, and would also give greater freedom about the neck. The question of the New Zealand police wearing purely a shirt tunic in warmer climates similar to the uniforms of some American and Australian police was also being considered. The numbers on the new tunics, will be smaller than .previously, and will be attached to the lapel.

When a man enters the force in future he will be 1 given a number, which he will carry throughout his career. Regulation boots, trousers, apd other clothing will be retained. Sergeants’ stripes in future will be located on the upper sleeve and not on fne forearm, and the same change will be made with senior sergeants’ insignia.

Commissioned officers will be uniformed in tunics similar to those worn by Air Force officers during the war—with a belt round the waist and patch pockets on the hips. They will retain their present forage caps, as will senior sergeants. Investigation Squads

Mr Young said the conference also decided on the establishment of special investigation squads. These will be situated in the four main centres, and will investigate all serious crime. Their activities will not be restricted to homicide, as is the case'with similar squads overseas. These special forces will comprise experienced detectives, fingerprint experts, ballistic experts (if needed), photographers, pathologists and officers of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

The squads will cover allotted areas. Auckland, for instance, will cover the Auckland Supreme Court area as far south as Hamilton, and Wellington, will attend to the remainder of the North Island and Nelson and Marlborough. Mr Young said the police were fully aware of the value of scientific evidence, and the greatest possible cooperation of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Researdh had been assured. The Director of the Dominion Laborator, Mr F. J. T. Grigg, had recently investigated scientific methods of crime detection in Europe, England and America, and improvements were consequently likely in the New Zealand laboratories.

A department was also to be established in the force which would file the “modus operandi ” of the country’s criminals. Every criminal had his'own line, said Mr Young, and detectives encountering a certain form of crime would be able to check the methods employed with the files in hand.

The question of the suitability of dogs in police work in hill and bush country was also being considered.

Role of Women Police Women police, who had played a very useful role in the past, would continue to be a branch of the force, but he did not think they would be wearing uniforms. The Government was alive to the housing position in relation to the police, said the Commissioner, and, in a reasonable time he expected that every man in the force would quately housed. 9 e expressed satisfaction at the good type of recruit coming forward. Mr Young said off-course betting was fully discussed at the conference, and he indicated that the police would probably make recommendations to the* Government.