Royal Commission report day 14 page 20

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The Royal Commission evidence for 3/5/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 14)

'Inspector Montfort giving evidence'

3436 It would be a mere matter of chance?— It would be a mere matter of chance—a fluke. I am merely giving an opinion—I may be all wrong.

3437 Do you know that those men committed their cattle-stealing depredation’s, and drove them always at night?— I heard so and I believe so.

3438 Have you ever had experience with the black trackers in this country?— No, I never saw any until I went up in July last.

3439 With your knowledge of the country, do you think it would be desirable to have a number of them located in the Kelly country?— I think it is a very important adjunct from what I have been informed by Mr. Sadleir of their capabilities.

3440 Have you ever formed an opinion as to the advisability of amalgamating the two branches of the police force, the detective and the general?— I have formed an opinion, but what it is worth is another matter.

3441 What is it?— I think the present system is not conducive to success at all.

3442 Do you believe that in the detective police there are such cases as what are known in the force as “put up” cases?— I could not say of my own knowledge.

3443 Has it come under your notice?— Cases in the police court have been pointed out to me, but there was no proof that they were “put up”—the assertion has been made.

3444 Have you formed an opinion—every man forms his own opinion—as an officer stationed in Melbourne a long time, and being as able to obtain information on that head as any man in the force?— It is a very serious matter for me to cast imputations upon any man.

3445 Have you formed any opinion that there have been cases known as “put up” cases?— As a matter of evidence I have not. I might be accusing some one unjustly.

3446 No?— I must form an opinion.

3447 I want your opinion generally?— I have heard of cases at times in which those facts were as described to me that I believe the case was “put up,” but I do not say the facts were so. I may have been misinformed.

3448 Had it that appearance in your mind?— Provided the facts were as stated to me, it did.

3449 Is there a general feeling between the two branches of the service, or is there a strained feeling between the two?— There is a very antagonistic feeling.

3450 Do you know that there is a strong antagonistic feeling between the two branches of the service?— I think so.

3451 You have already stated that it would be better to have the whole of the service under one control?— I did not say that. You introduced your question to me by that, but I did not answer it in that way.

3452 Do you think it would be better under one general management, or how would it be better than at present?— It is rather too extensive a question for me to answer.

3453 It is not a very extensive question, it is only for you to express your opinion about?— Yes, I think there should be a different system. You ask me my opinion of the detective and general police.

3454 Will you explain what you mean by different?— A different system established. I think the ordinary detective police, as they are in Melbourne , might be divided into two classes. They are what I call nothing less than plain-clothes police, and there are some three or four very good men—I mean highclass detectives—but the majority of the detective police are just equivalent to our plain-clothes police in Russell street as regards their ability to detect crime.

3455 At considerable expenditure?— I think that a detective should be a man of high-class ability.

3456 Do you consider that a large number of them are not suitable for the position?— I do think that a large number of them are not suitable as detective police.

3457 Are we to understand that you would recommend that the detective force should be reduced to a few really good efficient men?— No, not reduced, not a reduction.

3458 I mean so far as the management is concerned at present. The other detectives you speak of as not possessing special ability should be under the control of the ordinary police, and at any time Constable So-and-so could be sent out in plain clothes?— That is my opinion. I believe the detectives should be divided into two classes—one under the direct supervision of the superintendent in charge of the district, the other under the supervision of the Chief Commissioner himself.....

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