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1928. 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, 20th August, 1928. 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 1,105, being an increase of 22 during the year. The total is made up as follows :— Superintendents .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. 5 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 31 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 96 Constables .. .. .. .. .. .. 901 Senior Detectives .. .. .. .. 5 Detective-sergeant 3 .. .. .. .. 9 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 40 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. 12 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. . . 7 Native constables .. .. .. .. 3 There were also twelve temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919 ; these were appointed during the war period, and are over age or otherwise unsuitable for permanent appointment. Stations. New stations have been established during the year at Euawai, Port Fitzroy (Great Barrier Island), Kelburn (Wellington), Matainui, and Tokanui, and the stations at Aratapu, Okupu (Great Barrier Island), Arapuni, Okarito, and Fortrose have been closed. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last: Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 3; retired as medically unfit, 9 ; died, 11 ; resigned voluntarily, 29 ; called upon to resign, 7 ; dismissed, 7 : total, 66. This is one more than in the preceding year.

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