ing over the northern terrain. Eventually,
two men were arrested for this crime, con-
victed and sentenced to five years each in
the penitentiary. It can be said that out of
a difficult maze of handicaps and lack of
clues, radio played a major part in solving
one of the north’s most sensational robbery
cases.

tled to and fro by a competent, self-effac-
ing group of specialists who, seldom heard
of, consider any outstanding technical
achievement only part of a day’s work. They
are, however, a vital cog in that smooth
running public service—the British Colum-
bia Police.

Radio will continue to play an ever im-

Police party preparing to leave for aerial patrol. They are loading in
portable radio which keeps them in touch with headquarters.

What are the qualifications for a compe-
tent B. C. Police radio operator:
1. He must have a first class operator’s
ticket.
2. He must be speedy and accurate.
Speed in sending counts in emergen-
cies. Accuracy is essential.

He must be over 21 and under 35, a
British subject by birth or naturaliza-
tion, a resident of B. C. for 12 months
prior to his application; of sound
health and good character.

A preference is given to those with extra
clerical skill, including touch-typing.

When His Excellency the Governor Gen-
eral of Canada, and Lady Tweedsmuir
visited B. C.’s Tweedsmuir Park last sum-
mer, police portable radio and a constable-
operator accompanied the party. By this
means the Viceregal party was supplied
with a morning and evening bulletin of
world news and events—a service of which
they were deeply appreciative.

ww

Keep SystEM Up-to-DaATE

Whether it be the sweltering heat of the
southern interior in summer, or the crisp
tense atmosphere of sub-zero Peace River
in winter, messages and reports are going
back and forth across the province, shut-

COMOX VALLEY LANDS

REAL ESTATE :: GENERAL INSURANCE

V. SCHJELDERUP
B. C. Land Surveyor
Notary Public
COURTENAY, B.C.

PHONE 35-M

OCTOBER, 1938

portant part in the solution of crime, the
tracking of the evil doer, and the succouring
of the sick. Those in charge of the main-
tenance are ever on the alert for new de-
vices which might improve the existing
system. A system which has created wide-
spread interest and helped to bring the
B. C. Police into line with the world’s fore-
most police organizations.

FINGERPRINT BUREAU MAKES
MANY IDENTIFICATIONS
DURING the past year the Fingerprint
Bureau of the B. C. Police Criminal In-
vestigation Branch at Victoria received
2,721 sets of fingerprints, and of this num-
ber 1,220 were identified as persons already
registered with records on file. Where pos-
sible, the subject’s criminal record was im-
mediately flashed back to the investigating
officer by police radio. There are now nearly
22,000 sets of prints on file at B. C. Police
headquarters—or 220,000 separate finger

imprints.

Quantities of articles are annually sub-
mitted to the bureau from every corner of
British Columbia where it is suggested
fingerprints were left on some objects at the
scene of a crime. There are many identi-
fications made each year from these articles.

DUNCAN GARAGE
LIMITED

FORD DEALERS SALES AND SERVICE
Brake Specialists

“ASK A POLICEMAN"
PHONE 52 DUNCAN, B C.

INSPECTOR JOHN SHIRRAS

COMMANDING “C” Division, stationed
at Kamloops, is an officer of some consider-
able experience. Born in 1885 at Aberdeen-
shire, Scotland; educated at Aberdeen and
entered the Civil Service while in his teens.
Served in the Aberdeen City Police, Kin-
cardineshire and Lanarkshire County Con-
stabularies. Came to Canada in 1911,
arriving in British Columbia, joined the
Nanaimo City Police and was Chief Con-
stable of that city when taken over by the
Provincial Force in 1926. Upon being ap-
pointed to the Provincial Police was given
the rank of Sergeant and placed in charge
of the Vancouver District, promoted to
Staff Sergeant in 1929, to Sub-Inspector in
1931, and to Inspector in 1932—has com-
manded “E,” “D” and “C” Divisions.

Inspector Shirras served three and one-
half years overseas during the Great War.
Enlisted during the early part of the war,
was seriously wounded at Lens in 1917.
During the war, Inspector Shirras, who was
then attached to the Imperial Forces as a
Staff Sergeant, was gazetted as an Instructor
at the Aldershot Command School for

officers.

Inspector Shirras has been associated with
the investigation of many important major
crimes.

One of Inspector Shirras’ ideals is to edu-
cate and harmonize with his men, and his
success in the Force undoubtedly is due to
his general executive ability and the manner
in which he leads and handles the men
under his command.

CUMBERLAND

HE MAPLES. Eats, Fountain Service and Con-
fectionery. CUMBERLAND, B. C.

WHEN IN COURTENAY
Stay at the

COURTENAY HOTEL

COMOX ROAD

PHONE 59

Page Sixty-Nine