H.-16

1934. NEW ZE A LAND

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, Bth August, 1934. I have 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 1,142, being an increase of thirty-six during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. . ■ • • • • • • 4 Inspectors .. . . •• • ■ • ■ .. 15 Sub-Inspectors .. .. . • • • • • 4 Senior Sergeants .. .. ■ • • • 29 Sergeants .. .. .. • ■ ■ • 95 Constables .. .. . ■ • ■ ■ ■ • • 923 Senior Detectives .. .. . • • • • • 5 Detective-sergeants .. .. . • • • • • 13 Detectives .. . . . • • • • ■ 54 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. . • • • • • . . 12 Matrons .. . • • • • • • • • • 8 District constables .. .. • • ■ • ■ • 3 Native constables .. .. . • • • • • 1 There were also sixty-nine temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919. The majority of these were appointed on probation with a view to filling vacancies in the permanent staff if found suitable. The total actual strength of the Force, including temporary constables, showed a net increase of sixteen on 31st March last. Stations. A new station was established during the year at Runanga, and the stations at Panmure, Tangarakau, Marton Junction, and Dunollie were closed. Casualties. x The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last : Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 3 ; retired as medically unfit, 8 ; died, 9 ; resigned voluntarily, 6 ; dismissed, 1 : total, 27. This is 11 less 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 net decrease of 2,066 on the figures of 1932. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-15 per cent., as against 2-3 the previous year. There were increases during the year under the following headings, viz. :— Indecent assault on male . . . • 58 Theft of postal packets .. . . .. 29 Theft from dwellings .. .. ..25 Breaches of Arms Act .. .. .. 11l Obtaining credit by fraud . . . • 26 Being intoxicated in charge of motor-vehicle 25 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 62 Minor breaches of Motor-vehicles Act . . 669 Gaming offences .. .. 55

I—H. 16.