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1924. 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 ok Police to the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Poltoe Department. Police Department, Wellington, 21st July, 1924. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31, st March last. Strength of Force. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force of all ranks was 1,009, being an increase of 29 during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 7 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..12 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 91 Constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 819 Senior Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..32 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Native constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 There were also 18 temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919 : 1 of these was a recruit undergoing a period of probationary service with a view to .permanent appointment; the remaining 17 wore temporary constables appointed during the war period who were over age or otherwise unsuitable for permanent appointment. Stations. New stations have been established at Henderson, Moturoa, and Pukehuia, and the stations at Waiotira and Bealey Flat 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, 12 ; retired as medically unfit, 3; died, 5; resigned voluntarily, 39 ; called, upon to resign, 5 ; dismissed, 1 : total, 65. This is 4 less 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 increase of 1,420 on the figures of 1922. The proportion of offences to the population was 1-93 per cent., as against 1-86 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following, headings, viz.: — False declarations .. .. •• ... 25 Caming offences .. ~-> .. ..11l Assault (common) .. .. .. 77 Failing to maintain wives and children .. .. 485 Theft by clerks or servants .. .. 45 Ship-desertion .. .. .. 50 Forgery .. .. .. .. ..77 Selling liquor after hours .. .. .. 125 Drunkenness .. .. .. .. .. 625 Being found on licensed premises after hours .. 62 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language .. 43 Breaches of Arms Act .. .. .. 70 There were decreases in the following : — Theft (undescribed) .. .. .. ... ■88 Arson .. .. .. .. 25 Theft from the person .. .. ■. 25 Breaches of the peace .. .. .. .. 116 Theft from dwellings .. .. .. .. 206 Vagrancy offences .. .. .. .. 106 House and shop breaking, &c. .. .. ..119 Illegally using horses, motor-cars, &c. .. .. 86

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