The Argus at KellyGang 3/1/1883
THE POLICE COMMISSION
The Police Commission are rapidly drawing their labours to a close. Recently they held three meetings, the first of which was occupied in further investigating some charges made by two ex-convicts against Detectives O'Callaghan and Nixon. The revelations were of no public importance, and did not appear to incriminate the officers.
The chief commissioner of police (Mr Chomley) was then called to give evidence regarding the general administration of the force, his remarks applying particularly to testimony which had previously been given before the Commission. He spoke of the inconvenience caused by the delay in filling up the vacancies in the staff and increasing the strength of the constabulary, as he had some months ago advised. It was not desirable, he thought, that the police should be entitled to vote at political elections, as they should be above suspicion in the performance of their duties, and there would be a difficulty if they possessed the franchise in moving them from one district to another in required. He considered that they should be paid better, and any who were in the habit of becoming indebted to publicans should be dismissed. Finally he advised that the detective department in its present form should be done away with, and the detectives placed under the control of the superintendent of the city.
Mr Call, police magistrate for Melbourne, who was also examined, urged that it was undesirable to flog for larrikinism. Certain amendments were required, he said in the Licensing Act whereby Sunday trading which could not now be prevented, could be limited, and under which no brewer could have an interest in an hotel. Further, he thought that provision should also be made which would enable a landlord to be compelled to change his tenant if the present occupant was not a suitable person to hold a licence. Mr Abraham Levy, president of the Pawn brokers' Society, spoke on behalf of the members, and contended that they should be reimbursed the expenses they incurred in assisting the detectives, and that they should be properly protected regarding the return of the money they advanced on stolen goods. The commission will resume their sittings at the conclusion of the holidays adjournment.
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