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1919. 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, Ist August, 1919. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended the Slst March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force, of all ranks was 791, being a decrease of 54 during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors . . .. . . .. . . .. . . 8 Sub-Inspectors . . .. .. .. .. . . 8 Senior Sergeants . . . . . . . . .. 27 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 85 Constables . . . . . . . . .. .. . . 618 Chief Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 21 Detectives .. .. .. .. 16 In addition to the above there were— Police surgeons .. . . . . .. . . . . 4 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 6 District constables .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 Native constables .. .. .. . . .. .. 5 There were also 87 temporary constables, appointed under section 32 of the War Legislation Amendment Act, 1916. Stations. New stations have been established at Ranfurly Road (Auckland) and Tokonui, and the stations at Owen's Road and Waikino have been closed. On the Ist August last a new police district was established with headquarters at Palmerston North. It comprises 17 stations, of which 11 were formerly included in Wanganui District, sin Wellington District, and 1 in Napier District. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last: Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 6 ; retired as medically unfit, 2 ; died, 16 ; resigned voluntarily, 30 ; called upon to resign, 7 ; dismissed, 1 : total, 62. This is two more than 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 2,657 on the figures of 1917. The proportion of offences to the population was 1-64 per cent., as against 1-89 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz. : — Absent from military camp without leave 1.01 Malicious injury to property .. .. 115 Assaults on police .. . . .. 54 Mischief . . .. .. 27 Breaches of the peace .. . . .. 53 Receiving stolen goods .. .. 23 Disobeying orders of Court, &c. .. .. 61 Theft.. .. .. .. .. 207 Furious riding and driving ..... .. 23

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