§ 27 Mr. Kellyasked the Home Secretary (1) whether detective sergeants in London are promoted to those positions on merit and capacity for dealing with and knowledge of crime and those associated with it; and whether these officers are directed to instruct the young students from the Police College who have been given superior positions on leaving the college;
(2) whether it is with his approval that students of the Police College, without police experience, are on passing out of the college immediately appointed junior station inspectors; and does this rank them superior to detective sergeants who have proved experienced and capable officers in all branches of police work which gave them the promotion;
(3) why Criminal Investigation Department men are denied promotion beyond the rank of sergeant unless they have been through the Police College; and whether this discrimination against experienced officers is to continue?
§ Sir S. HoareTaking the hon. Member's points in order, it is the case that detective sergeants are promoted on merit. In common with other ranks, they may have to assist in the practical training of junior station inspectors posted to divisions. It is part of the reorganisation scheme laid before Parliament in the White Paper of 1933, which preceded the Metropolitan Police Act of that year, that students passing out of the college hold the rank of junior station inspector, which is higher than that of sergeant; but it is not the case that sergeants on long-service engagements, whether of the Criminal Investigation Department or of any other branch, are unable to obtain promotion unless they have passed through the Police College.
§ Mr. KellyIs it the practice that, when these men pass out of the College as junior station inspectors, they are then taught by sergeants who have not been promoted because they have not passed through the College?
§ Sir S. HoareI have stated in my answer that they do receive instruction from sergeants, just as in a regiment or battalion junior officers receive instruction from the regimental sergeant major or from sergeants.
§ Mr. KellyThis simile which the right hon. Gentleman has given does not fit in with this position. May I ask him whether he considers that it is a just and fair practice that men who are fit to hold the higher positions should be debarred from them, but have to instruct others?
§ Sir S. HoareThey are not debarred from the posts. I regard this as a normal practice. As I say, it happens in the other Services, and it was contemplated in the reorganisation scheme of 1933, on which the House of Commons expressed its opinion at the time.
§ Mr. GallacherAre we to take it that the same character of promotion applies in the police force as applies in the military forces?
§ Sir S. HoareNo, Sir. Obviously, no service is identical with any other service, but in this particular case very much the same thing happens in the police as happens in the other Services.