POLICE COMMISSIONER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 869, 22 November 1916, Page 6

POLICE COMMISSIONER.

MR J. O'DONOVAN APPOINTED. A POPULAR AND EFFICIENT OFFICER. The Hon. A. L. Herdman announced to-day that the appointment of Superintendent O'Donovan, of Wellington, to the position of Commissioner of Police, had heen approved by Cabinet. The appointment will be hailed with universal satisfaction, and it

will probably rank as one of the most popular promotions that have been made. Commissioner O'Donovan not only has the confidence of every man inferior to him in offiee, but he has with him the goodwill and respect of the public. He entered the Police Force 37 years ago, joining in Wellington as a constable. In 1897 he was promoted to sergeant, having in the meantime become a qualified barrister* by examination. After serving at the Mount Cook Station as instructor in law subjects, as well as in physical and military drill, he was appointed sub-inspector at Lambton Quay. After periods spent in charge of Palmerston North, Invercargill, Napier, and Dunedin districts as inspector, he took charge of the Wellington district, with the rank of superintendent, in succession |to Superintendent Ellison, who reI tired in November, 1915. Of a genial, kindly nature, Commissioner O'Donoj van never failed to earn the esteem lof everybody with whom he had I official dealings. He has a reputation for consistent fairness in an administrative capacity; and, while ibis disposition has not the slightest | inclination to being overbearing, despotic, or peremptory, he is an unbending disciplinarian. It is in connection with his conduct of Police Court cases that Commissioner O'Donovan has come most prominently before the general public, and as an interpreter of licensing law he has few rivals even in the legal profession. In the meantime the transfers and promotions that must be made consequent upon the appointment of a new Commissioner are being awaited with a considerable degree of expectancy by police officers all over the country.