II.—10

Session IT. 1918. NEW ZEALAND

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

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

The Commissioner of Police to the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, 2nd September, 1918. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended the 31st March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force of all ranks was 845, being a decrease of 53 during the year, The total is made up as follows :— Superintendents ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Inspectors ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Sub-Inspectors ... ... ... ... ... ... 9 Senior Sergeants ... ... ... ... ... ... 28 Sergeants ... ... ... ... ... ... 83 Constables ... ... ... ... ... ... 676 Chief Detectives ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Detective-sergeants ... ... ... ... ... 18 Detectives ... ... ... ... ... Ifi In addition to the above there were— Police surgeons ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Matrons ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 8 District constables... ... ... ... ... ... 8 Native constables ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 Temporary constables have also been appointed under section 32 of the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916, to fill vacancies in the Force. On the 31st March last there were 56 temporary constables so employed. Stations. New stations have been established at Manunui and Takapau, and the stations at Nuhaka, Mahakipawa, and Mangatainoka have been closed. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31 st March last : Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 16; retired as medically unfit, 1; died, 4; resigned voluntarily, 34; called upon to resign, 3; dismissed, 2 : total, 60. This is the same number as in the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended the 31st December last, and show an aggregate net decrease of 3,196 on the figures of 1916. The proportion of offences to the population was I'B9 per cent., as against 2J6 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz. :— AssaultTeausing bodily harm .. .. 22 Malicious"injury to property .. .. 13 Disturbing meetings and congregations .. 16 Murder .. .. .. .. 10 False pretences ■. .. .. .. 49 Murder, attempted .. .. .. 10 Fortune-telling .. .. ..22 Soliciting prostitution .. ~ ..52 Incest .. .. .. ..11 Theft of pigs .. .. .. .. '16

I—H. 16.