§ 80. Wing Commander Hulbertasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the recent reorganisation of the Metropolitan Police; and the reason for the resignation of certain senior officers therefrom.
§ 86. Mr. Delargyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about the recent resignations of officers from the Metropolitan Police.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe Commissioner of Police has recently implemented, with my approval, recommendations made by a working party for increasing the responsibilities and rank of uniform officers in charge of sub-divisions and upgrading comparable posts in the Criminal Investigation Department and also for carrying out a certain measure of reorganisation at headquarters, including the setting up of a research and planning branch and the replacement of police officers by civilians in certain branches where the work does not call for the exercise of police powers or experience. There is no foundation for the suggestion that certain senior officers have resigned180W because of dissatisfaction with this reorganisation, and in particular with a supposed decision to interchange uniform and detective officers. There has been no such decision.
As regards the higher posts, selected detective officers are occasionally transferred to the uniform branch in order to gain wider experience, but this is not a new policy; and there have been no transfers into the C.I.D. of senior officers without previous detective experience. As regards the lower ranks, it has for some years been the practice for a number of uniform officers who wish to be considered for appointment as detectives to be employed as "aids" to the C.I.D., and the average period of employment as an aid has recently been shortened so as to give an opportunity to more men to show their aptitude for detective work.
I am satisfied that the changes which have been made are in the best interests of the force.