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1920. 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 th.fi Eight Hon. tho Minister in Charge of Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, Ist August, 1920. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended the 31st March last. Strength of Forob. On the 31st March last the number of permanent members of the Force of all ranks was 844, being an increase of 53 during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4. Inspectors ... ... ... ... \\ Sub-Inspectors ... ... ... ... ... ... 6 Senior Sergeants ... ... "... ... ... ... ... 31 Sergeants ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 83 Constables ... ... ... ... ... 671 Senior Detectives ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Detective-sergeants ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 Detectives ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4 Matrons ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 District constables... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 Native constables ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 There were also 72 temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919 : 40 of these were recruits undergoing a period of probationary service with a view to permanent appointment; the remaining 32 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 Lyall Bay (Wellington), Fortrose, and Waikiwi, and the stations at Panmure, Clyde Quay (Wellington), Globe Mine, Gladstone, and Tokonui have been closed. On the Ist December last a new police district was established with headquarters at Timaru. It comprises 13 stations, of which 9 were formerly included in Christchurch District and 4 in Dunedin District. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last: Eetired on pension under tho Public Service Superannuation Act, 10; retired as medically unfit, 3; died, 5; resigned voluntarily, 39; dismissed, 3 : total, 60. This is 2 less 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 increase of 4,010 on the figures of 1918. The proportion of offences to the population was 199 per cent., as against P75 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz.: — Assault, common .. .. .. 173 Drunkenness .. .. . ■ .. 988 Theft (undeserved) .. .. .. 651 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 253 Theft from dwellings .. .. 3d Vagrancy offences .. .. .. 196 House or shop breaking, &c. .. .. 161 Gaming offences .. .. _ .. 99 Mischief .. .. .. ..156 Failing to provide maintenance for wives, &c. 396 Breach of the peace .. .. ..117 Breach of prohibition order .. ..372 There were decreases in the following: — Assault causing bodily harm .. .. 12 Selling liquor without a license .. .. 41 Burglary .. .. .. .. 102 Absconding from industrial schools .. 36 Receiving stolen property .. .. 34 Keeping brothels, &c. .. .. .. 17 Theft of animals .'. .. .. 20 !

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