AUCKLAND POLICE

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 246, 18 October 1933, Page 11

AUCKLAND POLICE

NEEDS OF THE TIMES. MORE OFFICERS WANTED. FRAUDULENT COMPLAINTS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. A suggestion that it be an offence to make fraudulent complaints to tho police is contained in the annual report of Superintendent S. Till, officer in charge of tho Auckland police district. "We have numerous instances where people make false complaints, and after considerable inquiries have been made it is found that the complaint is groundless and the complainant ultimately admits it," he states.

In the Auckland district there were 12 more offences than during the previous year, the total number being 8401, of which 934 were undetected. The principal increases were theft, "receiving," inciting disorder or lawlessness, gaming and opium-smoking. Decreases were shown in respect to assaults, burglary, false pretences and drunkenness.

The breaches of the law committed by persons in charge of motor vehicles continue to cause much concern, the offences for the year, 1119, showing an increase of 277.

In the opinion of Superintendent Till, the Auckland station requires the addition of two sub-inspectors and the appointment of a second senior sergeant for night duty at the central station. Also required are two new motor cars. "The area of country over which they can be used is so extensive that with efficient service in motor cars the staff would be able to deal more promptly with urgent matters," he adds. "When a vehicle is available, a patrol of the suburban areas is instituted at night, and this has been found 'to have had a deterring effect on housebreakers in these localities."

Dealing with the same subject, Commissioner W. G. Wolilmann says that although it was found possible to provide a new fast car for the use of the Auckland police, the provision of similar motor vehicles for night patrol in the principal cities is an urgent need.