§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force were allowed, when complaints or charges against them were under investigation, to call witnesses and to go into their defence during the period when Mr. Jones was Chief Commissioner; did they actually examine witnesses and make statements or explanations on their own behalf; has this system been departed from since Sir John Ross, of Bladensburg, was appointed Chief Commissioner, and, if so, for what reason: if policemen are now allowed to call witnesses, do they generally avail themselves of the privilege, and, if not, what is the reason for their disinclination to do so; will he state the proportion of the acquittals to the complaints in the Dublin Metropolitan Police while Mr. Jones was Chief Commissioner and the same particulars, so far, during, 1405 the Chief Commissionership of Sir John Ross, of Bladensburg.
Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police informs me that there has been no change in the system in force in the time of his predecessor, under which members of the force are permitted to call witnesses and to make statements or explanations in their own defence when complaints are made against them. The Chief Commissioner is not aware that there is any disinclination on the part of accused constables to call witnesses. It would not be in the interests of the public service, or of the discipline of the force, to give the details asked for in the concluding part of the Question.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that discontent exists in the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force at the system under which charges and complaints against the members of the force are investigated in camera, and at the procedure followed at such investigations, and that there is a concensus of opinion in the force that inquiries into such matters should be conducted in public and in the presence of the Press, as in the case of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and by a tribunal similarly constituted to that of the Royal Irish Constabulary for inquiry into charges and complaints, also that depositions should be taken at such inquiries and the defendant allowed to employ counsel as is the practice in the Royal Irish Constabulary; and whether, if he is not prepared to provide for such inquiries, he will say what are the objections of the Dublin Metropolitan Police authorities to the adoption of this course.
Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I have no information to the effect stated in the Question. I have referred the matter to the Chief Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police, who informs me that he is not aware that any discontent exists as stated, or that there is any general desire for a departure from the system at present in force in regard to disciplinary investigations. The statutes and regulations governing the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police differ considerably. The men of the Dublin force have the advantage of 1406 making a personal statement of their defence to the Chief Commissioner, a course which would not be practicable in the case of the constabulary owing to their wide distribution. The Chief Commissioner believes that the advantages of a personal investigation of their cases by him are thoroughly appreciated by the force generally.