22
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
[No. 3

the proper official channel only. Members of the force seeking by influence to obtain promotion or other advantage in the service are warned that such interference on their behalf will militate against the end they have in view, and render them liable to severe punishment. Where any member of the force has shown exceptional merit, or performed any specially valuable service, his promotion to a higher rank without regard to seniority, if recommended by the Inspector of the district, may be authorized, but on such occasions a notification will be published in the Gazette setting forth the circumstances of the case.

COMPLAINTS, MISCONDUCT, PUNISHMENTS.

62. An Inspector in charge of a district may inflict a fine not exceeding £1, or loss of seniority not exceeding six steps in his grade, upon any constable guilty of misconduct. Misconduct calling for more severe punishment, or committed by members of the force of higher rank than constable, will be reported, with the Inspector’s recommendation, to the Commissioner, who may sentence non-commissioned officers or constables to reduction, loss of seniority, loss of long-service pay, or dismissal, as he may deem fit; and, in case of officers, will report the circumstances, with his recommendation, to the Minister in charge of the department. Drunkenness on duty will invariably be punished by dismissal or enforced resignation, according to previous character. Simple drunkenness will not be overlooked even on a first occasion. Under extenuating circumstances recommended by the Inspector, this offence may on a first occasion be visited with a lesser punishment, but should the offence be repeated the member of the force will be dismissed.

63. Cases of breach of police discipline will be dealt with by the Inspector, unless he elects, under section 12 of the Police Act, to cause them to be taken before a Commissioner or any two Justices of the Peace. Offences against the public, or where Magistrates have clear jurisdiction, will be always submitted to a local Magistrate or Bench of Magistrates unconnected with the force.

64. Every officer in charge of a district will report, in writing, any complaint against any member of the force which it has been considered necessary to refer to a Bench of Magistrates for adjudication, and will also, if necessary, suspend the individual against whom a complaint has been made, awaiting the decision of the Commissioner.

65. Long-service medals are awarded to members of the force of not less than fourteen years’ continuous service in the Police or late Armed Constabulary Force, provided that for the last three years they have not been entered in the defaulters’ book.

66. For grave offences, in addition to any fine or other punishment awarded, a member of the force may be deprived of his long-service medal, or may be suspended for a given period from permission to wear the same, as the Commissioner may decide, and to be deprived permanently or temporarily of any part or the whole of his long-service pay.

67. On a constable misconducting himself the particulars of the case will be entered on a “Defaulters’ Sheet,” which will be forwarded with him to any other district to which he may be transferred. On a constable who has never misconducted himself being transferred a “Defaulters’ Sheet,” containing his name and description only, will be forwarded with him. In like manner a “Record of Merit” will be kept, in which an entry shall be made of each reward granted, or distinguished service specially acknowledged.

68. On the discharge or dismissal of any man from the force his “Defaulters’ Sheet” and “Record of Merit” will be forwarded to the office of the Commissioner, to be there filed for record; and on the application of any one who has been discharged a printed certificate of character, made out in accordance with the record, will be granted by the Commissioner. No other certificates of character or service will be given to parties leaving the force, and none to those who have been dismissed or who have served less than twelve months.

69. Appeal to the Commissioner may be made by any member of the force against the order or decision of an officer, but if the objection prove frivolous the person appealing will be liable to punishment.

70. Every complaint will be made, in the first instance, to the Inspector, who, if necessary, will forward it to the Commissioner; if from a member of the force in a sub-district, the complaint then to be submitted through the sergeant in charge of such sub-district to the Inspector.

71. Members of the force may at any time make any representation they please to the Commissioner, provided it be in writing, respectfully worded, and forwarded through the regular channel.

72. Any member of the force believing he has grounds for complaint must report the circumstance of the case to his superior officer promptly; for if he broods over and delays making his statements his motives will be judged of by such delays. As a general rule, any petition signed by numbers or combinations for any purpose will subject the parties to punishment or dismissal.

73. No member of the force will be permitted to write letters or other matter for publication in the Press.

CORRESPONDENCE, REPORTS, RETURNS, RECORDS.

74. All communications from officers in charge of districts intended to be brought under the notice of the Government or the head of any department will be made through the Commissioner, and all correspondence from sergeants and constables must be forwarded through their immediate superiors.

75. The residence of the Inspector in charge will be at the principal station in his district, and he is not to leave his district without permission from the Commissioner.

76. On offences being committed, reports of the same will be promptly transmitted by post, or telegraph, if advisable, to the Commissioner, the district headquarters, and any police-stations on the route supposed to be taken by the offenders, or where police co-operation is necessary.

77. When offenders are apprehended, or further information respecting suspected parties or cases is obtained, a report of the same should be made in similar manner.

78. From these reports the Police Gazette, containing particulars of offences committed, warrants issued, descriptions of stolen horses and cattle, and all other matters of police interest, will be compiled fortnightly in the Gazette office. A copy of the Gazette will be sent to every station in the colony, where it is to be carefully filed, to be accessible to all members of the force on the station.

79. Merely local and petty cases need not be reported in the manner pointed out; but it is of the utmost importance that the information given in the reports should be accurate in every particular, and that the description of offenders and property should be as clear and minute as obtainable, and names accurately spelt, without abbreviation.

80. All correspondence and reports will be expressed in clear and concise terms, and written in a neat and legible hand on foolscap paper, with one-third margin, on one side only.

81. Reports from subordinate members of the force should be drawn up in the first person, and should be preceded by a brief reference or indication to the subject of the report, as in the following form :—