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1940. 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, 16th July, 1940. 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 members of the Force of all ranks was 1,457, being an increase of eighteen during the year. The total is made up as follows :— Superintendents .. .. .. .. .. 5 Inspectors .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Sub-Inspectors . . .. .. .. . . 6 Senior sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 37 Sergeants .. .. .. .. .. ~ 112 Constables .. .. .. .. .. 1,098 Temporary constables .. .. .. .. 93 Senior detectives .. .. .. .. .. 4 Detective-sergeants .. .. .. .. .. 34 Detectives .. .. .. .. .. .. 52 In addition to the above there were — Police surgeons .. .. .. .. .. 15 Matrons .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 District constables .. .. .. .. .. 3 Native constable .. .. .. .. .. 1 The temporary constables were appointed under section 2 of the Police Force Amendment Act, 1919, the majority of them being on probation with a view to filling vacancies in the permanent staff if found suitable. The following are the losses in personnel for the year ended 31st March last: Retired under section 26, Police Force Act, 1919, 2 ; retired on pension under the Public Service Superannuation Act, 13 ; retired as medically unfit, 3 ; died, 8 ; resigned compulsorily, 1 ; resigned voluntarily, 36 ; dismissed, 9; total, 72. Stations. New stations were established during the year at Kohukohu, Oturehua, Rolleston, and Tuai, and the stations at Thames South and St. Bathan's were closed. Criminal Statistics. The criminal statistics (Appendix A) deal with offences reported to the police duriiig the year ended 31st December last, and show an aggregate net increase of 2,070 on the figures of 1938. The proportion of offences to the population was 2-83 per cent., as against 2-73 the previous year. There were increases during the year under the following headings, viz. : — Assault (indecent) .. .. 47 Stealing postal packets, mail-bags, &c. .. 67 Assault (common) .. .. 68 Ship-desertion .. .. .. 41 Carnally knowing girls under sixteen years .. 90 Selling or supplying liquor or exposing for Theft (petty) . . .. . . . . 770 sale, or opening or keeping open premises Theft (attempted) .. .. 20 at unauthorized times 106 False pretences .. .. .. .. 73 Illegally supplying liqUor to Natives .. 82 Obtaining credit by fraud .. .. 61 Found on licensed premises after closing Burglary: House and shop breaking .. 421 hours .. .. .. .. 405 Receiving property dishonestly obtained .. 78 Selling or exposing liquor for sale without a Mischief .. .. .. 57 licence .. .. .. 51 Drunkenness, &c. .. .. .. 489 Offences against provisions in force in noVagrancy .. .. .. 68 licence districts .. i. .. 26c Unlawfully using horses, motor-cars, &c. .. 171 In possession of liquor in vicinity of danceUnlawfully on premises at night without halls .. .. .. .. 70 criminal intent . . .. .. 74 The principal decreases were —- False statements and declarations . . 274 Breaches of prohibition orders .. .. 38 Incest .. . . . . .. . . 13 Indecent Publication Act, offences under .. 17 Theft by clerks or servants .. .. 91 Opium-smoking, &c. .. .. 40 Theft of animals (specified) .. .. 38 Arms Act, breaches of .. .. .. 25 Using profane, indecent, or obscene language 22 Causing death through reckless driving .. 24 Sunday trading .. .. 78 Being intoxicated in charge of motor-Vehicle 54 Found in common gaming-house .. .. 119 Reckless or negligent driving .. .. 173 Failing to maintain wife or children .. 487

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