§ 42. Mr. BOOTHasked if there is a training school for police constables to become ready and efficient in giving evidence in the courts; whether mock trials take place in the Metropolis in which policemen practice giving corroborative evidence, and in which the decision of the pseudo-magistrates is invariably given against civilians; whether new recruits are regularly sent to the police courts to learn from the old members of the force how to give evidence and to gain confidence; and if extra wages are paid for such attendances?
§ Mr. McKENNAAll men newly recruited to the Metropolitan Police are passed through a training school, where one of the subjects taught is that of giving evidence clearly and audibly. There is no foundation for the imputation in my hon. Friend's question that the police are practised in giving corroborative evidence. They are sent to police courts so that they may learn how cases are there disposed of, but they receive no extra wages for such attendance.
§ Mr. BOOTHDo the constables only attend the Court in order to see how cases are disposed of, or is it to see how cases are made out by other constables?
§ Mr. McKENNAThey attend the Court in order, when they are called as witnesses, they may know what the course of procedure is, and how a case is or should be conducted.