THE POLICE FORCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3167, 18 August 1917, Page 2

THE POLICE FORCE

ANNUAL REPORT CRIME REDUCED The annual report of the l>olico Department for tho year ending March 31 last, laid on the table of the Houso yestordny, states that tho strength of tho force was i>9B of all ranks, being a decrease of 18 during the year. Tho criminal statistics dealing with oltences reported to the police during 'ttio year showed au aggregate net decrease of 3492 on tho figures of 1915. Tho proportion of offences to tho population was 2.1G per cent., as against 2.46 the previous year, The principal increases during thq year included: Absconding from industrial schools, 89; burglary, housebrijukiug, etc., 29; deserting from merchant vessels, d 0; disobeying orders on. toanl ships, 20; offences under Fisheries Act, 'J-2; furious riding and driving, ■w; gaming offences, 38; keeping disorderly houses, 27; mischief, 32; neglected and criminal children, 41; drunkenness, 2435; 'theft, 262.

A table was embodied in the report showing that the convictions for drunkenness per 10,000 of the population for each year from 1911 to 1915. m Australia and New Zealand was as follows, the figures for this Dominion being given in paren't'hoses:—Commonwealth 1911, 133.2 (112.3); 1912, 143.5 (111.0), 139.5 (108.5), 139.9 (120.6), 126.G (UV.9). The <lirect cost to the Department iu detecting and prosecuting sly grog-sellers during the year was £322, this being .£1927 less than the amount of lines, imposed. For gaming Offences there were 257 prosecutions, resulting in 216 convictions, as against 2W prosecutions and ISI convictions in 1915. The report added that during the year the lingor-iinpressions of 2590 persons were recorded, classified, and filed, as previous offendors in this Dominion, Australia, or England. Photographs to the number of 710 were taken by the photographers attached to the branch, the portraits of 1811 prisoners were dealt with, and 439 photographs of discharged prisoners wero reproduced in the "Police Gazette." Continuing, itho report stated: "The conduct of the members of tho force has, on the whole, been very satisfactory during tho year. Notwithstanding the great increase of special work arising out of war conditions, all members, of tho force, especially 'thoso in charge of stations and in other responsible positions, have done their best, sometimes under difficulties and hardships, thoroughly and well and without complaint. A considerable reduction in tho strength of tho force has taken place. This is partly duo to normal causes, such as retirement or superannuation, death, and dismissal, and partly to resignations, principally of single men, in order -to rejoin fhe Expeditionary Force. Owing to the dearth of recruits tho polico training depot at Wellington has tan closed since last December. To fill vacancies in the force advantage has had to bo taken of Section 33 of the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916, and a numbor of temporary constables havo been sworn in.