11.—16.

1937. 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, 3rd August, 1937. 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 1,199, being an increase of thirty-six during the year. The total is made up as follows : — Superintendents .. .. .. .. ... 4 Inspectors . . . . .. .. .. • • 16 Sub-Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. 5 Senior Sergeants .. .. .. .. 28 Sergeants . . .. .. .. . . 99 Constables .. .. .. .. .. . • 956 Senior Detectives .. .. .. .. .. 3 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. 17 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. 71 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. . • 15 Matrons .. . . . . . . ■ ■ • • 7 District constables .. . . .. . . . . 3 Native constable .. .. .. .. ■ • • 1 There were also fifty-six 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 filling vacancies in the permanent staff if found suitable. Stations. New stations were established during the year at Surfdale (Waiheke Island), Maori Hill, Bartletts, and Maniirewa, and the station at Cowes (Waiheke Island), was 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 as medically unfit, 3 ; died, 7 ; resigned voluntarily, 12 ; dismissed, 5 : total, 33. 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 2,280 on the figures of 1935. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-23 per cent., as against 2-11 the previous year. There were increases during the year under the following headings, viz. : — Assault (common) .. . . • • 110 Maintenance offences . . .. . . 48 Breaches of prohibition orders .. .. 72 Causing death or bodily injury through Drunkenness .. •• ..1,016 reckless driving .. .. .. 29 Exposure of person and grossly indecent Being intoxicated in charge of a motoracts .. • • • • • • 36 j vehicle .. .. .. .. 160 False statements and declarations . . 63 Reckless or negligent driving . . .. 536 Found on licensed premises after closing- Minor breaches of Motor-vehicles Act . . 669 hours . . • ■ ■ • • ■ 136 Selling or exposing liquor for sale without Found on premises where liquor was a license .. .. .. .. 71. seized under a warrant . . .. 109 Thefts by clerks or servants .. .. 39 Found in common gaming-house .. 108 Unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c. 240 The principal decreases were — Burglary, house or shop breaking . . 263 Forgery and uttering .. .. 86 Breaches of Arms Act . . .. 95 Obtaining credit by fraud .. .. 39 Conspiracy to defraud . . . . 41. Opium smoking, &c. .. .. .. 41 Failing to comply with conditions of Receiving property dishonestly obtained. . 49 release under First Offenders Probation Theft (petty) .. .. .. 169 .. .. .. . • 38 Theft from dwellings .. .. 60 False pretences .. • • 219 Vagrancy offences .. .. . . 114 I—H. 16.