THE POLICE FORCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 11

THE POLICE FORCE.

DUTIES UNDERMINE HEALTH. PETITION TO MINISTER OF JUSTICE. WELLINGTON, August 30. The fact that “ a policeman’s lot is not a happy one ” is pointed out in a statement to be submitted to the Minister of Justice (Mr F. J. Rolleston) by members of the New Zealand Police Force in connection with a proposed amendment to the Police Bill. Owing to the nature of police duty, it is stated, the minimum age for joining the force is 21 years, whereas in other departments members can join at 15 years. This is a handicap over which members of the force have no control. But, in acquiring the period of service necessary to obtain the' maximum retiring allowance, it is a very distinct disadvantage. The nature of the duty that members of the force are called upon to perform increases the risk of undermining health and shortening life, such as the handling of dead bodies in a state of putrefaction; by searching prisoners suffering from disgusting diseases; by investigating matters connected with abortions, premature birth, abnormal sexual offences, and occasional murders, etc., by violent exertions necessary to effect certain arrests; by irregular hours and exposure to all weathers by night as well as by day, and by irregular meals, caused by such duties. An indication as to the effect that the investigating of crime has upon the individual may be obtained from the list of men who have held the rank of chief or senior detective. In February, 1922, out of the eight who held such rank at that time four have since died in the service, one retired with 30 years’ service, ~and none of the other three has yet 35 years’ service, but one of them has had a nervous breakdown. THE SUGGESTED' AMENDMENTS. WELLINGTON, August 31. The parade of members of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Police Force was held to-day, when 100 members were addressed by the Commissioner of Police (Mr W. B MTlveney. The commissioner is to present from the force the suggested amendments to the Act governing the police, to the effect that every member may retire on superannuation at 55 years, and that every member shall retirs on attaining the period of service entitling him to a retiring allowance equal to forty-sixtietlis of fiis annual salary or on attaining 65 years. In special circumstances a member may be permitted to remain for an additional period not exceeding 12 months. The Commissioner of Police will retire at 65, but in the interests of efficiency his services may be retained for a further period not exceeding five years. For the purposes of superannuation one year of police service shall be reckoned as equivalent to one and one-seventh years of service as a civil servant. It was noted as significant that out of 66 members of the force who retired last year only three reached the .age of 65.