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1941. NEW ZEALAND.

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

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

The Commissioner of Police to the Hon. the Minister in Charge op Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, 10th July, 1941. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31st March last. Strength op Force. On the 31st March last the number of members of the Force of all ranks was 1,509, being an increase of fifty-two during the year. The total is made up as follows:— Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors .. . . . . .. . . . . 17 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. . . 7 Senior sergeants . . . . . . . . . . 42 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 113 Constables .. .. .. .. . . 1,094 Temporary constables . . . . . . . . 135 Senior detectives .. . . .. .. .. 5 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 36 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. .. 15 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. .. .. 3 Native constable .. .. .. .. .. 1 The temporary constables were appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919, the majority of them being on probation with a view to filling vacancies in the permanent staff if found suitable. The following are the losses in personnel for the year ended 31st March last: Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 8 ; retired as medically unfit, 11 ; died, 11 ; resigned voluntarily, 52 ; dismissed, 13 : total, 95. Stations. New stations were established during the year at Trentham and Waiouru, and the name of the station at Pembroke changed to Wanaka, 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 1,369 on the figures of 1939. The percentage of offences to the population was 2-75, as against 2-83 the previous year. There were increases during the year under the following headings, viz. : — Subversive statements : Making, publishing, Unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c. .. 200 &c. . . . . . . 60 Unlawfully on premises at night without Indecently assaulting a male .. .. 37 criminal intent .. .. 24 Assault, indecent .. .. 26 Found on premises where liquor seized under Theft (petty) .. .. .. .. 781 a warrant .. .. .. 67 Burglary : House and shop breaking .. 136 In possession of liquor in vicinity of danceArson .. . . .. 41 halls, &c. .. . . . . . . 1040 Mischief .. .. .. ..187 Opium: Smoking, &c. .. .. .. 21 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 34- Arms Act, breaches of .. .. .. 60 The principal decreases were- — False statements and declarations .. 52 Selling or supplying liquor or exposing for False pretences .. .. 88 sale, or opening or keeping open premises Obtaining credit by fraud .. .. 38 Q at unauthorized times .. 31 . . I*, , , • i Supplying liquor to persons under twentv-one Receiving property dishonestly obtained .. 37 yeaj S 41 Forgery and uttering . . . . 47 Illegally supplying liquor to Natives . . 78 Breach of the peace or behaviour with intent 40 Breaches of prohibition orders .. .. 163 Drunkenness, &c. .. .. .. 465 Found on licensed premises after closing Exposure of person and grossly indecent acts 49 hours .. .. .. .. 103 Vagrancy .. . . . . 75 Offences against provisions in force in noAssaulting, obstructing, or resisting the police 20 license districts .. . . .. 27 Gaming offences .. .. .. 97 Offences against provisions of no-licence in Damaging post-office boxes and telegraph Native proclaimed areas .. .. 39 equipment .. .. .. ..51 Being intoxicated in charge of a motor-vehicle 122 Maintenance offences .. .. .. 697 Reckless or negligent driving . . .. 808 Ship desertion .. ~ .. ~ 102 Minor breaches of Motor-Vehicles Act .. 662

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