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Session 11. 1923. 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 op Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, 28th June, 1923. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31st March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force of all ranks was 980, being an increase of 6 during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 89 Constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 795 Senior Detectives .. .. .. . . .. .. 10 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. .. .. ..12 Matrons .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Native constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 There were also 23 temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919 : 3 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 Ruatorea, Nuhaka, Petane, and CastlecHff; and the station at Tuparoa has been closed. 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, 6; resigned voluntarily, 50 ; called upon to resign, 3 ; dismissed, 2 : total, 69. This is 20 more than in the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended 31st December last, and show an aggregate net decrease of 1,852 on the figures of 1921. The proportion of offences to the population was 1-86 per cent., as against 2-04 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz. : — Suicide (attempted) .. .. .. 27 Burglary .. .. .. 66 Theft from dwellings .. .. 216 House or shop breaking .. .. 80 Theft by clerks or servants .. .. 44 Mischief .. .. .. 56 False pretences .. .. .. 112 Breaches of Arms Act .. . . .. 442

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