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1931. 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 op Police to the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, 24th August, 1931. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31st March last. Strength op -Force. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force of all ranks was 1,160, being an increase of twenty-three during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents . . .. .. .. 5 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. 15 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. 5 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 28 Sergeants . . .. .. .. . . 92 Constables .. .. .. .. .. .. 950 Senior Detectives .. .. .. .. 4 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. 15 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. 46 In addition to the above there were— Police surgeons .. .. .. .. 12 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. .. 4 Native constables .. .. .. .. 2 There were also nine 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 Kohimarama, Paekakariki, Parnassus, and Wharanui. The stations at Mangawai, Moawhango, and St. Heliers Bay 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, 4 ; retired as medically unfit, 4 ; died, 5 ; resigned voluntarily, 8 ; called upon to resign, 2 : total, 23. This is 32 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 2,964 on the figures of 1929. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-46 per cent,., as against 2-3 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz. : — Assault (indecent) .. .. .. 34 Breaches of the peace .. .. 249 Theft (petty) .. .. •• ..1,168 Vagrancy offences .. .. .. 65 False pretences .. .. •• 175 Unlawfully using motor-cars, &c. ... 328 Obtaining credit by fraud .. .. 63 Gaming offences .. .. 118 Robbery and aggravated robbery . . 29 Failing to maintain wives, &c. .. .. 286 Burglary, shop-breaking, &c. .. .. 171 Breaches of motor-vehicles Act .. .. 1,070 Forgery .. • • • • 59 There were decreases in the following offences : — Assault (common) .. .. • • 28 Assaulting, obstructing, or resisting police.. 45 Theft by clerks or servants .. .. 44 Stealing postal packets.. .. .. 38 Drunkenness .. .. .. •• 686 Selling liquor after hours .. .. 61 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 72 Breaches of prohibition orders .. .. 89

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