C.I.B. HEAD TO RETIRE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29474, 28 March 1961, Page 7

C.I.B. HEAD TO RETIRE

Announcement By Mr Aplin (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 27. The impending retirement of Detective Chief Superintendent F. N. Aplin, national head of the Criminal Investigation Branch, has been announced. Mr Aplin said in Wellington today he would probably retire early in August. Mr Aplin was head of the detective force in Auckland when he was appointed the first officer in charge of the national branch in 1955. Since then, he has been responsible for the administration of the branch in line with developments overseas. This has included the institution of qualification courses for detectives. refresher courses, and in-service training. Homicide Squad More recently, he formed the homicide squad, consisting of 19 detectives who, if the need arises, can be assigned to augment local forces to assist with difficult murder investigations. Mr Aplin, described as one of the country’s leading criminal investigators, joined the police in Auckland in 1921. One of the outstanding inquiries which he directed was the Piha case in which two Australians attempted to defraud insurance companies of £40.000 by robbing a grave at Auckland and burning the body in a seaside bach.

He also directed many notable murder investigations.

After his retirement, he intends to live in New Plymouth.