Royal Commission report day 14 page 21

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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

3459 That is a higher order?— That is a higher order, who, I should add, I do not think should be known to everybody.

3460 To direct operations?— Yes, to be used when information is received from other sources that would require their attention, and that they should not be used in police courts and seen amongst prisoners.

3461 Their efficiency becomes destroyed by publicity?— Yes, in the police courts, and being known by everybody.

3462 They should be men superior in intellect and ability?— Decidedly; pay them well and pick them for the work they may be best fitted for. Some men have an aptitude for detecting horse-stealing on a large scale—some men have a commercial mind, and are useful for embezzlement, high-class forging, and so on.

3463 Is it the custom of the police to visit the police cells every morning?— Yes.

3464 And by that means become known as detectives?— It is for the purpose of the prisoners becoming known to them.

3465 Have the prisoners not the opportunity then of knowing the detectives?— Yes; every man, I believe, discharged from Pentridge is discharged through the detective office. I wish this to be under stood, that I express this opinion with great reluctance, because I am pitting my individual opinion against men of much greater experience than myself.

3466 Do you believe it is advisable to continue the present management of the police under one responsible head, or would it be more advisable to have, say. a commission of three?— Yes, I think it would give a great deal more satisfaction in the force. I say so on the ground that I think it would give more satisfaction to the men.

3467 You say it would give greater satisfaction to the police?— I think it would.

3468 Would it be, do you think, in the public interest to appoint a commission of three?— Yes, because what would give satisfaction to the police would be conducive to the public welfare.

3469 Would you describe what you would recommend as the duties of those three special commissioners?— I think one should be chairman, and the other two should travel like the provincial inspectors in Ireland .

3470 Why make an exception of one?— There must be a chairman—there must be one.

3471 Why not recommend that the three should travel at stated periods in different localities in turn?— There is no objection to that, except that I cannot conceive a regiment with three colonels. I offer the opinion as regards the three commissioners to prevent the possibility of an accusation of favouritism being made against the head of the department. I think two commissioners would be a check on the chairman.

3472 And to assist their deliberations?— Certainly, that is what I mean.

3473 All of equal standing, except one appointed as chairman?— Yes.

3474 Were you inspector of the North-Eastern district at the time of the Kelly outrages?— No, I was in charge of No. I here.

3475 You were at the depot?— Yes.

3476 Who is responsible that the constables trained from the depot are efficient for service?— The superintendent in charge of the depot.

3477 What does the efficiency consist in?— Knowledge of the use of arms.

3478 What arms?— When I was there the men used to be drilled with the old carbine, the muzzle loader, and the foot were armed with the ordinary Enfield rifle.

3479 Were they supposed to understand that?— Yes.

3480 And the mounted men pistol exercise?— Certainly. I might add that the officers had only the opportunity of arming the men with the arms afforded them to arm them with.

3481 There was a statement about the inefficiency of the men on account of not being accustomed to arms—were they from the depot?— I never saw an instance yet where a man could not use his arms.

3482 There was one statement where a man said he had never fired off a gun in his life?— A gun?

3483 Yes?— The carbines were not used in the mounted service.

3484 Is it your opinion that constant supervision—what you call “pressure”—ought to be continually maintained, night and day, over those men that are committing these outrages?— Certainly, as offenders in all places should be.

3485 And that the men charged with the maintenance of peace in the district should be efficient, active, intelligent men?— There can be no two opinions about it.

3486 And better have none at all if not such men as that?— I cannot say that.

3487 Every policeman is not alike?— I know some perfectly useless, not fitted to be there or anywhere else.

3488 Have they the best men there now?— I do not know; I have not been there for a very long time.

3489 If you found on taking charge of a district that there were inefficient men, you would at once call attention to it?— Yes, I have instructions to that effect. .

The witness withdrew.

Adjourned to to-morrow, at Eleven o'clock . ....

[~[[See report of Proceedings 3/5/81]|5927]~]

see next day

4/5/1881

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