H.—l6.

1935. 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, 13th August, 1935. 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 1,159, being an increase of seventeen during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. . ■ • • • • 4 Inspectors .. .. .. • ■ • • .. 17 Sub-Inspectors .. . . ■ • • • ■ • 7 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. • • .. 29 Sergeants .. .. .. • • • • .. 98 Constables .. .. .. .. •■ ..930 Senior Detectives .. .. .. . • • • 3 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. ■ • . . 15 Detectives .. .. .. • • • • .. 56 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. • • ■ • .. 12 Matrons .. .. ■ • • • • • • • 8 District constables .. .. . ■ • • • • 4 Native constables .. .. . • ■ • • • 1 There were also sixty temporary constables appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919. The majority of these were appointed on probation with a view to rilling vacancies in the permanent staff if found suitable. Stations. A new station was established during the year at Matawai, and the stations at Motu and Waitaki Hydro Works were closed. Casualties. The following are the casualties for the year ended 31st March last: Retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 5 ; retired as medically unfit, 5 ; died, 3 ; resigned voluntarily, 9 ; resigned compulsorily, 2 ; dismissed, 3 : total, 27. 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 decrease of 1,016 on the figures of 1933. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-07 per cent., as against 2-15 the previous year. I—H. 16.