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Session 11. 1921. 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 November, 1921. 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 882, being an increase of 38 during the year. The total is made up as follows :— Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 34 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 78 Constables .. ... .. .. .. .. .. 700 Senior Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 13 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. .. 12 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Native constables .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 There were also 68 temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919 : 48 of these were recruits undergoing a period of probationary service, with a view to permanent appointment; the remaining 20 were temporary constables appointed during the war period who were over age or otherwise unsuitable for permanent appointment. Stations. New stations have been established at Matamata, Seatoun, and Millerton, and the stations at Miramar and Stafford have been closed. New police districts have been established with headquarters at Whangarei, Now Plymouth, and Gisborne respectively. Whangarei district comprises 16 stations which were included in the northern portion of the Auckland District; New Plymouth district consists of 14 stations formerly in Wanganui District ; and Gisborne District was formed by the transfer of 11 stations from Napier District and 2 from Hamilton District. The boundaries of Hamilton and Wanganui districts have also been altered, whereby 5 stations have been transferred from the former to the latter.

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