REWARDS TO THE POLICE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17185, 15 February 1930, Page 15

REWARDS TO THE POLICE

DEPARTMENT'S VIEW

Should police officers accept private rewards or testimonials in recognition of their services? The department’s view of the matter was made clear by the Commissioner, Mr. W. B. Mcllveney, this week when he quoted the following extract from the police code: — “While the exhibition of a friendly feeling from tlie public towards the police is most desirable, the acceptance of a testimonial by any officer while serving in the locality is inconsistent with the varied duties of police officers in enforcing the law, for it places them under obligation towards the inhabitants of tho district or their friends.’ Air. Mcllveney also referred to comment made hy Sir Leonard Dunning, His Majesty’s Inspector, in a White Paper in 1926, which contains the yearly reports of police in England and Wales. Sir Leonard said that police duty was duty to the community performed because it was police duty, and not in view of rewards or gratuities, in any mariner, from those who have enjoyed security hy the general vigilance of tho police or their energy and intelligence in particular circumstances. “Acceptance of such favors,’’ concluded Sir Leonard, puts the recipient in a position of which a policerna n should he mshamcih^