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1930. 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 or Police Department. Police Department, Wellington, Bth August, 1930. 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 1,137, being a decrease of nine during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. 4 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. 14 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. 4 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. .. 29 Sergeants .. .. .. ... .. ..98 Constables .. .. .. .. .. .. 934 Senior Detectives .. .. .. .. 5 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. 15 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. 34 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. 12 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. 8 District constables .. .. .. .. 5 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 Miramar, at the railway-construction works at Kopua (Gisborne), Tangarakau, and Tiroroa, and at the Waitaki hydro-electric works near Kurow. The station at Pukehuia has been closed. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last: Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 6 ; retired under section 26, Police Force Act, 1913 (non-con-tributor to Superannuation Fund), 1 ; retired as medically unfit, 6 ; died, 6 ; resigned voluntarily, 15 ; called upon to resign, 10 ; dismissed, 11 : total, 55. This is seven more 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 1,112 on the figures of 1928. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-3 per'cent., as against 2'25 the previous year. The principal increases during the year appear under the following headings, viz. : — Theft (petty) .. .. 138 Being found on licensed premised after Burglary, shop-breaking, &c. .. .. 106 hours .. .. .. .. 135 Arson .. .. .. 36 Selling liquor without a license.. .. 63 Mischief .. . . . . 96 Bankruptcy offences .. .. 36 Drunkenness.. .. .. ..211 Opium-smoking, &c. .. .. ..36 Failing to maintain wives, &c. .. .. 420 Breaches of Motor-vehicles Act .. 299 There were decreases in the following offences : — Thefts from dwellings .. .. 43 Forgery .. .. .. 52 False pretences .. • . .. 181 Receiving stolen property .. .. 32 Obtaining credit by fraud . . .. 43 Selling liquor after hours .. .. 96 False accounting by officials or clerks .. 88 Breaches of Arms Act .. .. 42

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