Royal Commission report day 41 page 6
The Royal Commission evidence for 2/8/1881
(see also introduction to day 41)
[[../../people/peU_Z/winchSup.html|Sup Frederick Alfred Winch]] giving evidence
14293 Just read that Regulation 38?— “When inspecting a district or station, it will be more particularly his duty to see that the officers and men are properly dressed, and that their general appearance and demeanor are such as they should be; that their arms and accoutrements are kept in good and serviceable order, and that the men are supplied with a suitable supply of ammunition; that the strength of the police is equal to the requirements of the locality; that the duties of the station are properly distributed among the men, the system of beat duty followed in Melbourne and the other large cities, towns, or boroughs, being adopted wherever practicable.”
14294 That is the duty, by law, of the inspecting superintendent?— Yes.
14295 Can that be discharged by a man visiting but once in the time you have mentioned?— Certainly not. There should be a constant and active supervision through all the districts. That is one of the blots. If a competent officer were to travel now, and go to the different districts, I believe he would find things in a shameful state. The postal department have three or four inspectors always on the move, and why should not the same course be pursued in the Police Department.
14296 Do you consider that at any hour that the inspections should take place, that it should not be at fixed times?— No, at uncertain times. The inspecting officer should leave town quietly, and without anybody knowing where he is off to, and then judge for himself without people being forewarned that he is coming. Allow me to hand in a document here, which I think the Commission should have. It is in connection with the Kelly business. It was an affidavit which I took from a man of the name of William Williams , in respect to the shooting of that Constable Fitzpatrick. —[The affidavit was read. Vide App endix . 13]—There was a great deal of talk that this business was owing to the misconduct of Fitzpatrick. You will see by that document that that was mere nonsense.
14297 Superintendent Sadleir was to some extent set aside in this Kelly business. Have you had any experience of him as a police officer?— Yes; he was a subaltern of mine for some time.
14298 What was his general character as an officer?— You see this is a question that I would not like to be taken down, giving an opinion of a gentleman, my equal in rank almost now, because my opinion may be of no moment one way or the other. I have no objection to give my private opinion in the matter, but I would not like to have an opinion of that sort go forth.
The Chairman directed that the witness's further replies to the question should be taken down by the shorthand writer for the use of the Commission only.
14299 Do you know a police officer of the name of Nicholas ?— Yes.
14300 Do you know he was in charge of that district at the time of Power's capture?— No; but I should think Mr. Nicholas would be quite unfit for work of that sort.
14301 Are you aware that he, at the time of Power's capture, was in charge of the district, and he complained of being superseded by Mr. Hare ?— No, I am not aware of that.
14302 That is the gentleman—[handing a letter to the witness]?— Yes, that is his signature.
14303 Do you see he complains of another officer being sent to discharge the duties in his district?— Yes, I see that.
14304 Do you think that superseding him is justifiable conduct?— I certainly do not.
14305 Is it not most unfair to Mr. Nicholas ?— He ought to have had an opportunity of getting Power, he being in that district.
14306 Suppose an officer in charge of a district, like Mr. Sadleir, had private information sent to the Chief Commissioner or the department that a criminal is in his district, and he is not made amenable to justice, is it not the duty of the head of the department to communicate at once to the officer in charge to make him amenable?— Certainly to the officer in charge.
14307 There is a record kept of all police?— Yes.
14308 It has been made a complaint that men are prejudiced by records placed on that without the slightest knowledge of the men, so that after years of service, a record might be there that they might not have an opportunity of answering—are you in the habit of making records on the sheets of men?— Yes; that is my duty.
14309 Do you inform the men what is the character of the records?— I think the correct and only fair practice is, if you have anything to say against a man, you should make him aware of it. That is my practice, and I think there should be an order to that effect, and a man should have a copy of the record.
14310 What is the severest record known to the service to prevent a man's promotion—would cowardice be?— Certainly; that ought to result in the man's immediate dismissal.
14311 Should that be considered any bar to his promotion?— Yes, certainly, cowardice.
The public were re-admitted.
1 4312 You have expressed your opinion that the police force ought to be governed by a chief commissioner and two assistant commissioners?— Yes
14313 And that they ought in all matters of policy to consult together before anything was settled?— Yes.
14314 Have you any idea in your own mind as to what ought to be done now to make the police more efficient. You say they ought to consult, and you think the superintendent in each district ought to have charge of that district, and carry out all matters connected with it?— Yes.
14315 Can you inform the Commission of anything that you think would assist in bringing the police into a better state of organization?— I think the organization as it is would be perfectly effective if it were properly carried out, but there seems to have been an interference with officers having charge of districts, from time to time, which of course is detrimental, and rather against the officer having charge. I think in the event of any particular crime being committed in any district, information having been received in Melbourne which would lead to the detection of the criminals, that that information should be supplied to the officer in charge of that particular district, for him to work out the problem if the information would assist him to arrest the criminals, without the assistance of other officers sent up for the purpose. An officer in the district, knowing the country and everything, having received information which might have been got in Melbourne , should be better able to work it out than a stranger being sent up there.
14316 Then if an officer seemed to fail in his duty, your position would necessitate his removal from that district?— Yes, precisely, if he failed after getting the information; if he then failed in doing what was requisite it would be time to see what should next be done, either supersede him or do something else.
14317 You think the present organization of the police is sufficient for all practical purposes?— I think so; if properly carried out it could scarcely be improved upon.
14318 Some people in speaking upon the question have said otherwise?— I qualify this as to the organization, because I may have something to say afterwards about the detective department as a part of the police force.
The witness withdrew. ....
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