POLICE CRITICISED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 13

POLICE CRITICISED

STATEMENT FROM ACCUSED MOTORIST JUDGE’S COMMENT Criticism of a statement obtained by the police from a motor-car driver, charged with negligent driving, was voiced by Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court yesterday. The accused stated that the car was in the same mechanical condition after the accident as before. His Honour remarked that the police seemed to rely on proving the 'inechanicJhl condition of the brakes out of the mouth of a somewhat ignorant person. The police should bring expert evidence as to the condition of the car. “One hesitates to criticise the police,” added the judge. “We are greatly indebted to them for everything they do for the prevention of crime and the bringing of offenders to justice, but there is apparent a tendency to rely on statements taken from accused persons to prove facts which could well be proved by proper evidence, if they would only take a little more trouble. I think the accused should not have been put in the position of being made to admit that his car was in the same mechanical condition after the accident as before. He was not a person who could make such an admission.”