I—H. 16.

H.—l6.

1933. 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 in Charge of Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, 11th August, 1933. I n we the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31st March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force of all ranks was 1,106, being a decrease of twenty-eight during the year. The total is made up as follows :— Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. 15 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. 5 Senior Sergeants .. .. . . .. 27 Sergeants .. . . . . .. .. 94 Constables .. .. .. . . .. .. 894 Senior Detectives . . . . .. . . . . 4 Detective-sergeants . . . . .. . . 15 Detectives .. .. . . .. .. 48 In addition to the above there were Police surgeons .. .. . . .. 12 Matrons .. . . .. .. .. .. 8 District constables . . .. .. .. .. 4 Native constables .. .. .. .. .. 2 There were also eighty-nine temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919, an increase <>l sixtv six during the war. The majority of these were appointed on probation with a view to filling vacancies in the permanent si aIT if found suitable. The total actual strength of the Force, including temporary constables, showed a net increase of thirty-eight on 31st March last. Stations. A new station was established during the year at Khandallah (Wellington), and the stations at Arapuni and Orepuki were closed. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last : Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act. II : retired as medically unfit, 3; died, 9; resigned voluntarily, 8 ; dismissed, 7 : total, 38. This is 13 more than in the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended 31st December last, and show an aggregate not decrease of 1,312 on the figures of 1931. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-3 per cent., as against 2-4 the previous year. There were increases during the year under the following headings, viz. : — Theft (petty) .. .. . . .. 808 I False statements and declarations .. 21 Receiving stolen property .. .. 125 Indecent acts .. .. .. ..22 Inciting violence, disorder, or lawlessness .. 119 ' Theft of animals .. .. ..21 Gaming offences .. .. .. 110 Opium-smoking .. .. .. 98 The principal decreases were — Burglary, housebreaking, &c. .. .. 55 False pretences .. .. ..44 Drunkenness .. .. .. .. 818 Unlawful conversion of motor-cars, &c. .. 65 Breaches of the peace .. .. .. 115 Theft of postal packets, &c. .. .. 95 Using prof ane, indecent, or obscene language 63 ! Failure to maintain wives, children, &c. .. 532 Vagrancy offences .. .. .. 130 Selling liquor after hours .. .. 70 Assaulting, obstructing, or resisting police.. 56 Being found on licensed premises after hours 139 As there was an increase in the previous year of 345 cases of burglary and housebreaking, the decrease this year of 55 is satisfactory. The steady decrease in convictions for drunkenness is being maintained. It is noteworthy that the arrests for this offence for the year 1932 are the lowest since 1878.