§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether Sir Charles Warren has recently issued a Police Order forbidding superior officers to make remarks as to a constable's general character on his defaulter sheet when he is sent before the Commissioner; and, if so, what is the date of such Order?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.), in reply, said, he was informed by Sir Charles Warren that the Order to which it was supposed the Question referred was dated the 24th of May, 1885, and was as follows: —
Defaulters, complaints.—In the investigation of charges against police officers for misconduct, every officer before whom the charge is investigated, and who does not dispose of it summarily, shall be careful to avoid any expression as to the guilt or innocence of the officer charged.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLasked the right hon. Gentleman whether he could state the case which led to the issue of that Order?
§ MR. MATTHEWSsaid, if the hon. Member would give Notice he would inquire; but the Order was a general one, if the case was disposed of summarily as a clear breach of discipline, the officer conducting the inquiry could not be said to be prejudicing the constable by pronouncing the result of the inquiry.