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1917. 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 June, 1917. 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 strength of the Force was 898 of all ranks, being a decrease of 18 during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. . . .. .. 5 Inspectors .. .. .. . . . . .. .. 7 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. . . .. .. 8 Senior sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 27 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. .. 81 Constables .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 734 Chief Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 18 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 In addition to the above there were, — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Matrons .. .. . . . . . . .. . . 4 District constables .. .. .. .. .. 11 Native constables .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Stations. A new station has been established at Te Araroa, and the stations at Herekino, Ngatapa, and Waiuta have been closed. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last: Eetired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 8 ; retired as medically unfit, 4 ; died, 2 ; resigned voluntarily, 41 ; called, upon to resign, 2 ; dismissed, 3 : total, 60. This is 5 more than in the preceding year. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police during the year ended the 31st December last, and show an aggregate net decrease of 3,492 on the figures of 1915. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-16 per cent., as against 2-46 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz. : — Absconding from industrial schools .. 89 Furious riding and driving . . . . 90 Burglary, house-breaking, &c. .. .. 29 Gaming offences .. .. .. 38 Deserting from merchant vessels .. 40 Keeping disorderly houses .. .. 27 Disobeying orders on board ships .. 20 Mischief .. . . .. . . 32 Fisheries Acts, offences under .. .. 42 Neglected and criminal children. . .. 41

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