THE POLICE FORCE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11910, 18 August 1924, Page 2

THE POLICE FORCE

CHIME STATISTICS. : The annual report on the Holies Force of the Dominion has been presented to Parliament. The record of serious crimes during

; There has been an increase of 626 in the number of prosecutions for drunkenness the year a 9 compared ■with the previous year. The number charged with drunkenness in 1923 was 7035 (6665 males and 370 females), whereas in 1922 the number was 6409 (6088 males and 321 females). Prosecutions against hotelkeepers totalled -501 (430 in 1922) and the number of convictions was 261. In Wellington the prosecutions were 13 and the convictions fl. There were 81 prosecutions during the year for selling liquor without a license, resulting in 57 convictions, and there were also 95 prosecutions, resulting in 88 convictions, for other offences against the provisions of the Licensing Act in force in no-license (districts. The fines imposed on sly grog-sellers during the *year .amounted to £1640. The direct cost to the department in detecting and prosecuting sly grog-sellers during the year was £325, this being £1315 less than the amount of fines imposed.

There were 435 prosecutions, resulting in 358 prosecutions, during the year under the Gaming Act, against 324 prosecutions and 290 convictions in 1922.

The finger impressions of 3071 persons were received, classified, searched, and filed during the year; 289 persons were identified as previous offenders, either in this Dominion, the Australian States, or England; 988 photographs were taken by the photographers attached t<Kthe branch; the photographs of 1875 prisoners (7015 photographs) were dealt with, and 664 photographs were reproduced in the “Police Gazette”).

In several cases photographic enlargements and plans were prepared and produced as exhibits in the Supreme Court. One unknown deceased man was identified by bis fingerprints. In 16 cases of breaking and entering, finger-prints left by offenders when committing the crime were identified, the most notable being a series of breaking and entering in Auckland, in which the offender was identified from the finger-print exhibits sent to this branch. When arrested he pleaded guilty to each offence; he was a stranger to Auckland, and previously unknown to the police there. On March 31st the finger-print collection consisted of the impressions of 31,929 persons, an'increase of 1645 on last year’s figures.

The actual strength of the force March 31st laqt was 1009 permanent members'-.and 18 temporary constables, compared with' 980 permanent and 23 temporary in March, 1923, a net increase of 24 men. Officers in charge of districts lask for 83 more men to meet the requirements of the service, and as the population increases there can he no doubt that the strength of the police must be increased at the same ratio to> carry on the work in an efficient manner. In 1915 the proportion of police to population was 1 to 1257; at the. present time it is 1 to 1312. To bring up the force to its proper standard at least 45 more men are required. WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Superintendent Mellveney, Wellington district, reports as follows: On March 31st, 1924, the authorised strength of the force in this district was 186. During the year there was an increase of four constables to provide for contingent details at the central station in the City Of Wellington and at Wellington South Station. I recommend an early increase of two sergeants and twelve constables, to meets requirements at the Central and Taranaki street Police Stations and at Blenheim. At the latter station an additional constable for night duty is necessary, as at present there is rally one constable available for that duty, and his services are inadequate, in Wellington City a sergeant in needed to take charge of the watchhouse at night, and four constables to meet demands' at the Central Station and give attention to outlying suburbs whore stations have not been opened; and a sergeant aad seven constables at Taranaki street Station are actually required, in order to give adequate service in the dbmmercial area of the city, and at Clyde quay. Oriental Bay, and Hose neath. Within the past five years there has not been an addition to the number of sergeants here. The casualties were: One acting-de-tective, eight constables, and one tern, porary constable, by voluntary resignation; one constable by compulsory resignation; two temporary constables by discharge; and one constable by dismissal.

For the year ended December 31st, 1923, the total number of offences reported was 4335, as against 4463 for the' previous year —a decrease of 128—and 4020 prosecutions resulted. The increases do not . call for special remark excepting in' the cases of murder. unlawful detention of children, and procuration of abortion. These offences were detected during the investigation of baby-farming eases for which Daniel Richard Cooper was responsible. Offender was convicted and executed for the murder of one of his victims.

The general conduct of the police and the standard of efficiency maintained have been satisfactory and creditable. The population of Wellington unban area is now estimated at 113,560, and is steadily increasing. Suburban sta tions hre required at Kelburc (popoua tion 3250) and Wadestowu (population 175C0. „ 'Recent legislation has been found to work smoothly and well, and in soms instances to have materially strengthen ed the hands of the police. I recommend favourable consideratfoo-eff an extension of the age of juvenile offenders under Part HIT of the Justice of the Peaoq Act, 1908, ,

the year is as under:— Number of Offences Crime. Reported. 1922. 1923. Robbery and aggravated robbery Burglary, breaking into shops, 11 1« dwellings, etc 872 743 Forgery and uttering 156 242 Murder 5 7 Murder, attempted - \ 10 1 Rape 4 9 Receiving stolen property ...... 138 121 Wounding with intent _ 3 Totals 1229 1144 Indecent and sexual offences were as under Offences. 1922. 1923. Unnatural offence 8 6 Unnatural offence, attempted... 2 3 Indecently assaulting a male 43 42 Incest 8 9 Indecent acts * 27 27 Concealment of birth 3 5 Assault, indecent 85 90 Ra pe 4 9 Rape, attempted ii 12 Carnally knowing girls 29 '30 Carnally knowing girls, attejnpted 12 7 Abortion, procuring, etc Exposure of person and grossly 5 28 indecent acts 231 232 Totals 468 500