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1949 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 Right Hon. the Minister in Charge of the Police Department Wellington, 12th July, 1949. I have the honour to present the annual report on the Police Force for the year ended 31st March, 1949. Police Force Regulations.—The revision and consolidation of the Police Force Regulations, involving a considerable amount of painstaking work, has progressed steadily, with the result that the printing and distribution of the regulations will receive attention at an early date. Personnel.—On 31st March last the number of members of the Force of all ranks was 1,541, being an increase of 21 during the year. The total is made up as follows: 10 Superintendents, 15 Inspectors, 10 Sub-Inspectors, 61 senior sergeants, 163 sergeants, 1,021 constables, 158 temporary constables, 19 senior detectives, 43 detective sergeants, and 41 detectives. There were also 32 policewomen, 8 matrons, 14 police surgeons, and 1 district constable. The following are the losses in personnel for the year ended 31st March, 1949 : retired on superannuation, 21 ; retired medically unfit, 2 ; died, 6 ; resigned voluntarily or given opportunity to resign, 52 ; dismissed, 1 : total, 82. New stations were established at Lake Tekapo, Sandringham, and Dobson, -and the station at Brunnerton was closed. The Training School for recruits has been active during the year, but there has been little improvement in the rate of recruiting throughout the period, so the number of candidates coming forward has done little more than keep the Force at the same level due to losses by death, resignation, or retirement.