H.—l6

1910. NEW ZEALAND.

THE POLICE FORCE OF THE DOMINION (ANNUAL REPORT ON).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Commissioner of Police to the Hon. the Minister op Justice. S l r ! Justice Department, 9th May, 1910. On the retirement of Mr. Dinnie, on the 31st of December last, the Government decided to combine the offices of Under-Secretary for Justice and Commissioner of Police. I therefore took over the administration of the Force, in addition to my other duties, and I now submit the annual report as required by the Police Regulations. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was 775 of all ranks, being an increase of 4 dming the year. The total is made up as follows :— Inspectors .. .. .. ■ ■ • • •• ■ • •• 9 Sub-inspectors .. .. • • • • • • 7 Station sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Sergeants .. . . •• • ■ • • •■ • • .. 82 Constables . . . . .. • • . • • • • • .. 622 Chief detectives . . . . .. .. ■. • • . ■ 5 Detectives .. .. . . .. • . • • • • . . 29 Acting-detectives .. .. . . . . • • • • .. 17 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. • • - ■ • • ■ ■ • • 4 Matrons .. ■ • • • • • • ■ ■ • • • • • 4 District constables .. .. . . .. • • • . .. 19 Native constables . . .. •. • • • • • ■ ■ ■ 9 Troop horses .. .. • • • • ■ • • • ■ • .. 38 Stations. New stations have been opened at Fendalton, Frankton, Hikuai, Islington, Kirikiriroa, Rimu, Tewera, Tokomaru Bay, Waikaiemoana, Wakefield, and Wellsford. The district constable at Portobello has been replaced by a regular member of the Force, and the following stations have been closed : Broad Bay, Frasertown, Horopito, Kanieri, Kerepehi, Poit Albert, Spring Grove. The station hitherto known as Sheffield is now called Annat. and that known as Tairua is now called Hikui. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended the 31st March last : Retired under Police Provident Fund Act, 14 ; died, 3 ; resigned voluntarily, 17 ; dismissed, 8 ; discharged, 1 ; called upon to resign, 20 : total, 63. This is 4 more than in the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with all offences reported to the police during the year ended the 31st December last, and show an aggregate net increase of 420 on the figures of 1908. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-32 per cent, as against 2-33 the previous year.

1-H. 16.