REORGANISING THE POLICE.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 33

REORGANISING THE POLICE.

THE COMMISSIONER'S RECOMMENDATION.

WELLINGTON, August 15. Before the Police Commission to-day, Commissioner Dinnie said it was of tha utmost importance to secure the services of the best-qualified officers for city work. At present scmo of the sub-inspectors were not equal to police work ancl the supervision required in centres, and were not giving satisfaction in the performance of their respecthe duties. He also considered it was an error of judgment to equalise the salaries of district inspectors in charge or outer districts with those in charge of lar^e centres, as there was no comparison in tha responsibilities and police work appertaining to the two positions. With the view to provide for the necessary supervision of the force and proper execution of the increased general work, he strongly recommended changes, which he was satisfied would meet all the present police requirements and would ensure the efficient performance of all police work— that in future the four centres, instead of being supervised by a district inspector and subinspeqtor, as at present, should be supervised by a district superintendent, an inspector, and a station sergeant; that four district inspectors be selected for promotion to the rank of district superintendent, with a salary of £400 per annum, rising by annual increments of £10 to £450, their duties to consist of general supervision of districts, charge of all outer stations and! police work connected therewith; that four inspectors be selected to take charge of the four cities and suburbs, and be responsible to their superintendents for all police work arising therein as well as the supervision of the men, to conduct prosecutions .when necessary in special cases, and to pay "Varied nocturnal surprise visits, *s well as visits during the day, to their subordinates; that the pay of all inspectors appointed hereafter be £300 per annum, rising by annual increments of £10 to £350, in lieu of £300 to £400 as heretofore. Commissioner Dinnie estimates that the cost of increasing the force according to his suggestions to the Minister will be £2851 per annum, which will give five sergeants and 20 constables extra. He proposes to abolish sub-inspectors from the weekly instruction classes, and arrange for drill once a month. Two sergeants are to be on duty in the large centres at night, so that tha beats may be properly inspected. District clerks should have rank of sergeant. A number of districts in Auckland, new attached to Napier, such as Tauranga, Rotorua, Opotiki, and Urewera Cmim.r. should, the Commissioner says, be pur mn"" • Auckland, which can look after them v -r Irss trouble: and Nelson should be scpair'^ n from the West Coast ancl put urtkr vr- ' lington.