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Session 11. 1912. 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 op Police to the Hon. the Minister op Justice. Police Department, Wellington, 4th June, 1912. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended the 31st March last. During the period covered by this report the administration of the Force was carried on by my predecessor, Mr. F. G. B. Waldegrave, who relinquished the offices of Commissioner of Police and Under-Secretary for Justice on the 31st March, 1912. Strength op Force. On the 31st March last the strength of the Force was 835 of all ranks, being an increase of 47 during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Senior sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 69 Constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 676 Chief Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Detective sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 Acting-detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 District constables .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Native constables . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Stations. New stations have been established at Grey Lynn, Mount Albert, Patutahi, Rakauroa, and Whataupoko, and the designation of Eden Terrace Station has been changed to " Mount Eden." Temporary stations have been opened at Cass, Pareora, and Waiuta. The district constable at Mangawai has been replaced by a regular member of the Force. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended the 31st March last: Retired on pension under Public Service Superannuation Act, 13 ; retired as medically unfit, 3 ; died, 2 ; resigned voluntarily, 27 ; called upon to resign, 9 ; discharged, 1 ; dismissed, I : total, 56. This is 4 less 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 decrease of 107 on the figures of 1910. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-32 per cent., as against 2-39 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz. : — Abusive, insulting, or threatening words or Failing to provide for wives, children, or behaviour .. .. . . .. 30 relatives .. .. .. .. 193 Assaults, common .. .. . . 23 Introducing liquor into Maori pas . . 22 . ~ j . ito Neglected or criminal children . . 23 Assaults, indecent ... .. io „ 8 , . . Stone-throwing .. .. .. 38 Deserting or absenting from merchant vessels 77 xheft (undescribed) .. .. 150 Disobeying orders of Court or summonses ... 91 Theft from the person .. .. 16

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