MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.

New Zealand Police Gazette, Volume LI, Issue 16, 21 April 1926, Page 242

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.

Resignation. No. 2739. Constable Skinner, William. 14th April, 1926.

Death. No. 1353. Constable McKenzie, Hector. sth April, 192(5.

Promotion. To be Detective from Ist April, 1926. No. 2261. Constable Farquharson, Bennet. 6.

Circular No. 10/26.] Inspection of Police-station Premises, Books, &c. The inspection of police-station premises, books, documents, stores, and equipments is the duty of police officers only, and members of the Force are not to allow any other person to make any such inspection unless a written authorization from the Commissioner of Police to do so is produced. The only exceptions to this instruction are (a.) A Minister of the Crown ; (b.) An Audit or Treasury Inspector on official business to inspect stores, and books and documents relating to accounts only; (c.) An Inspector of the Public Works Department as to buildings only. W. B. Mcllveney, Commissioner of Police. Wellington, 19th April, 1926. (P. 26/513.)

Circular No. 11/26.] Traffic Control: Instructions. Members of the Force are hereby directed to make themselves thoroughly conversant with the various requirements of the traffic laws and regulations, and municipal by-laws, especially in relation to reckless driving, persons who while in a state of intoxication are driving vehicles, or those who drive vehicles without lights during the evening and night-time. Reports of breaches of the Acts, regulations, or by-laws relating to traffic made by members of the police attached to a station should be carefully checked by the officer in charge of the station, who should see that—(a.) They are clear and concise so as to be readily understood by the officer who has to deal with them ; (b.) The part, section, and subsection of the Act, or clause and subclause of the regulations or by-laws, of which the circumstances stated in the report disclose a breach are correctly stated ; (c.) When necessary, a rough plan of the locality, showing the position of the vehicle or vehicles, the position of the tracks thereof, measurements of the relative positions of such, and any other essential particulars in connection with any such breach of the said Act, regulations, or by-laws, is attached to the report;

(d.) The names and addresses of persons who have witnessed it, together with statements from such persons, are attached to the report; (e.) The names and addresses of offenders are verified before Court proceeding are instituted.

Members of the Force regulating traffic at any point or place should — (a.) Give definite signals or directions to drivers to prevent misunderstanding; (b.) As far as practicable, stand in the centre of intersection, see that vehicles cross in their turn, in proper manner, and at reasonable speed ;

(c.) See that at racecourses and at other places of amusement vehicles approach, set down, and take up occupants in proper order ; (d.) Use every endeavour to give a clear passage to a vehicle conveying His Excellency the Governor-General, or a Minister of the Crown, or a Commissioned Officer of Police, or a medical practitioner hurrying to attend to an urgent professional call, or to a vehicle belonging to a fire brigade proceeding to a fire, or to an ambulance proceeding to an accident or hospital. Traffic Signals. As it is essential that there should be uniformity in the signals used by the police for the control of traffic, members of the Force, when directing traffic, will strictly adhere to the following instructions (1.) “ Stop.”— -Face the driver, extend one hand forward slightly above the level of the head, palm of the hand toward the driver of the vehicle, fingers upwards and close together. When the driver observes the signal, immediately turn and stop the traffic from the opposite direction in the same manner, at the same time extending the left arm horizontally from the shoulder to prevent the traffic behind the constable from moving until the release signal is given. (2.) “ Go.” signal is being given with the right arm, extend the arm backwards at full length in line with the shoulder, make a sweep forwards and across until the hand almost touches the left shoulder; the hand should be on the level of the shoulder throughout the motion. If the signal is being given with the left arm, extend the arm backwards in line with the shoulder, and give a circular sweep forwards until the hand almost touches the right shoulder, keeping the hand on the level of the shoulder throughout the operation. All previous instructions relating to manual traffic signals by the police are hereby cancelled, and no other form of manual signal is to be tolerated in any place in the Dominion. General. When directing civilians, particularly ladies, with regard to either vehicular or pedestrian traffic regulation, members of the Force should be extremely civil in manner and speech. The law requires to be enforced reasonably but firmly, and with the greatest discretion. The main object is to induce the public, with as little friction as possible, to comply with its requirements, and to educate them as to what is necessary. The proper performance of this duty depends entirely upon the personality of the constable, and he should use his best endeavours to act with tact, patience, and good temper. When patrolling the streets members of the Force will comply with the by-laws, and request all other persons who are not doing so to do the same. Officers in charge of stations will be held responsible for the prompt and proper observance of these instructions, and also for the sufficiency of police supervision at intersections when Vehicular traffic is so unduly congested as to require the services of more than one constable to efficiently direct and control it. W. B. Mcllveney, Commissioner of Police. Wellington, 20th April, 1926. (P. 26/512.)