The Argus at KellyGang 13/1/1883 (4)
ROYAL COMMISSION - REPORT; DETECTIVES
CHIEF COMMISSIONERS RECOMMENDATIONS RESPECTING THE DETECTIVES
At a comparatively early stage of the inquiry, Mr Chomley chief commissioner of police, expressed himself, when under examination, as in favour of merging the defective force into the general police. He stated (q 157), ' My theory is - I would sweep away the name of detective altogether, I would put all the present men in as plain clothes sergeants in the general force. They might do the same duty, and they might recruit their ranks from constables; and I would recommend them to receive something extra to make them work well. Those men, so long as they behaved themselves, should be promoted into the plain clothes police or general police. At the close of the evidence upon this branch of the enquiry the chief commissioner was further examined, and reiterated his statements respecting the necessity for the amalgamation of the detectives with the uniform police.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Having in view the requirements of the public service your commissioners submit the following recommendations: -
1 That the detective force, as at present constituted, be immediately disbanded, and as far as practicable, be merged into the general police
2 That in lieu of the present detective system, plain clothes constables be employed, supplemented by a limited number of private agents whose services shall only be utilised in the discovery of the more important crimes.
3 That the chief commissioner shall have the direct supervision and control of the plain clothes corps, and be charged with the duty of their organisation for the purposes of a criminal investigation branch of the service.
4 That plain clothes police and members of the general force under no circumstances be allowed personally to engage or pay for the assistance given by criminals in the arrest of offenders or the recovery of stolen property.
5 That all transactions between the police and criminals in respect to information leading to the detection of crime be subject to the full knowledge and permission of the chief commissioner of police who shall alone make payments for the same from a fund which your commissioners consider should be established for that purpose.
6 That the plain clothes constables and private agents be compelled to keep diaries of their duties and dealings with all crimi nals and that such be delivered up every three months and become official records of the department.
7 That the premises at present occupied by the detective force be relinquished and the business of the plain clothes constables branch be conducted in the office of the Chief Commissioner of Police.
8 That a private inquiry office be maintained at the Russell street barracks.
9 That every encouragement be given to intelligent energetic and educated members of the general police to volunteer for plain clothes constables duty and that men employed in this branch of the service receive an extra rate of pay.
10 That if after a fair trial any plain clothes constables be found inefficient or their conduct unsatisfactory they shall be re-transferred to the uniform police.
11 That Inspector Secretan be called on to retire from the force without prejudice to any claims for compensation or retiring allowance to which by reason of service, he may have become entitled.
12 With respect to the detectives O'Callaghan, Duncan and Nixon your commissioners cannot refrain from expressing their opinion that those officers (according to the evidence) are not trustworthy and that their retention in the force is not likely to be attended with credit or advantage to the public service.
13 That the books, papers and property at present in possession of the detectives be immediately taken over by the chief com- missioner of police and placed under the direct control of the chief clerk of his department.
FRANCIS LONGMORE Chairman
GEORGE WILSON HALL
E J. DIXON
GEO R FINCHAM.
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