The Police Force.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19118, 10 July 1930, Page 8

The Police Force.

To the Editor. Dear Sir,—Now that the administration of the Police Force is likely to engage the attention of Parliament, there are some things that should be considered. When a member of the force is charged with an offence under the regulations if he wants counsel he must make his application through his office to the Minister, who has the power to grant the same, but the officer through whom he makes the application is the man who tries the charge, and of course the Minister must have it recommended. Recently there have been refusals such as in ex-Sergeant Bonisch’s case. Had it been granted in that case the mix-up that took place would never have happened. The regulations say that if a man is convicted (never mind how paltry it is), he must stand down for two years for promotion, so that a man is fighting for his existence. A nice way to have a man. What is wanted is that a man should be able to employ counsel without any reference to the department, the same as any other man charged in court. The Commissioner knows well that a subordinate cannot cross-examine hia officers with the same vigour as counsel. If he did, I am afraid his position would not be too’comfortable afterwards. A member who is dismissed under the now famous Section 9 of the Police Force Act loses his right of appeal under the Act. That man should have the right of appeal. Now, the Appeal Board consists of a magistrate, a member of the force, and an outsider, generally a justice of the peace. When a case comes in for appeal the magistrate is notified bv the Minister and the other two are appointed by the police. What is wanted is that the outsider should be recommended by the magistrate direct to the Minister without any reference to the police. Now we have the police examination. When it first came in one of the Crown Law officers was the examiner. Now. for some reason, a police officer examines the papers. He is only a layman, end I venture to say that some of the candidates know more than the examiner. These are the sort of things that cause discontent, and if altered would go a long make the mcn co^ e j^KioN m - Ex-Senior-Sergeant of Police and Justice of the Peace. 2, Elgin Street.