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1950
VICTORIA
i\.nnual Report
of the
Chief Commissioner of Police Victoria,
Australia
Alexander M. Duncan, C.M.G., J .P.
FOR THE YEAR 1949
PRERENTIW TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COIDdAND
lcost of &port :-Preparation-Not given. Printing (800 ooplei), £180.]
MELBOURNE,
16TH jULY, 1950.
J J. GOURLEY, Government Printer. Melbourne. No.25.-[2s.]-10000/50.
~-~~---~~·-----------------------
Introduction
CHAPTER 1.-ADMINISTRATIO.:-<-~
Appointments Awards and Commt•nd:ttions Conferences Correspondence Discipline Distribution Finance Headquarters Administration Health .. In Memoriam Promotions Rt·tirements, Discharges, &c. Strength-
Actual Authorized Per hf'ad of population
Vacancies
CHAPTER 2.-~RECRUITING AND TRAINING
Recruiting, Training
CHAPTER 3.-Bt:ILDINGS AND PROl'ERTY
Buildings, Property, Accommodation
CHAPTER 4.---.'SPECIAI. BRANCHES
Communications, D. 24: .. Criminal Investigation Branch Finger Print S.ection Information Bureau Policewomen Records Section Scientific Section Special Branch .. Technical Section Transport Branch Wireless Patrol ..
CHAPTER 5.-CRIME
Crime Statistics .. ,Juvenile Delinquency
APTER 6.-TRAFFIC
Accidents ~Iotor Registration Traffic Control DiRtrict Traffic Offences ..
CHAP'l'ER 7 .-OTHER PoLICE DuTIEs
Extraneous Pm~itions Ji'irearms Gaming Licensing J;ost and Unclaimed Property Vice Wharf Patrol Youth Welfare
CHAPTER 8.-GENERA.L
Amenities Appreciation Charitable Appeals Work at PolicE< Stations
INDEX
I' AGE
5
8 9
11 11 10 8
11 11 10 10
9 8
7 7 7 7
12
13
15 14 15 14 16 14 15 14 16 17 18
19 23
25
26 25 26
29 29 29 30 30 31 30 31
32 33 32 32
'
Hon. K. Dodgshun, M.L.A., Chief Secretary,
SIR,
Ofd Treasury Buildings, Spring-street, Melbourne, C.l.
Chief Commissioner's Office, Police Headquarters,
Melbourne, 16th July, 1950.
I have the honour to present the Annual Report of the Victoria Police Force for the year 1949.
The results of police activities are shown in detail under the various headings in the Report, but there are several matters of interest to which I would like to refer in these introductory remarks.
One of the major items was the increase in strength of 299 approved by the Government on the 8th March, 1949. This increase evolved from a revised classification of Stations and distribution of strength throughout Police Districts to meet the impact of the 40-hour week, but many Stations will not, of course, be fully manned until the lag in recruiting has been fully overcome. Also linked with this re-organization scheme was the abolition of the rank of Sub-Inspector and the combining of First and Second Class Sergeants in the one rank of Sergeant. This change was introduced mainly to obviate the practice of men having to be transferred to higher positions after a short period of service as Sub-Inspector and Second Class Sergeant, with the consequent housing difficulties for the members of the Force concerned and the adverse effect generally on the service given to the community.
A further development was the opening of the first of the Department's Regional Radio Stations at Geelong Police Headquarters. Station VL3PJ was officially opened by the Honorable the Chief Secretary on the 21st October, 1949, and radio-equipped cars are now on regular patrol duty throughout Geelong and suburbs. The scheme already approved by the Government for the extension of radio communication facilities to all District Headquarters in the State will be steadily implemented as equipment comes to hand.
Legislation of importance to the Police Force included the Police Regulation (Amendment) Act (No. 5359), which was proclaimed on the 13th June, 1949, and was later amended by Act No. 5448, proclaimed on the 15th December, 1949. This legislation augmented police pensions up to a maximum of 25 per cent. from the 2nd January, 1948, as well as granting similar annual increases in pensions and other benefits to widows of police and pensioners. The Police Offences (Amendment) Act (No. 5434) was also passed on the 6th December, 1949, the provisions of this Act being directed mainly at increasing penalties for assaults on Police, to which special reference was made in my 1948 Report. However, the amended Police Regulation Act-to consolidate and amend existing Actswhich was first introduced in the Legislative Assembly early in November, 1948, has still not been placed on the Statute Book, and I hope that early action in this regard will be taken. As I have· previously pointed out, the Police Regulation Act as it stands is having an adverse effect on the discipline and efficiency of the Force, which wil1 be felt for many years to come.
Two Determinations of the Police Classification Board made during the year deserve special mention. Determination No. 19, effective from the 26th June, 1949, gave substantial increases in pay to all ranks, while Determination No. 20, effective from the lOth July, 1949, provided for the payment of compensatory allowances for shift work and work performed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
These improvements in conditions of service, coupled with an intensive advertising campaign, gave great stimulus to recruiting in the latter months of 1949. The number of applicants was quite encouraging, but the quality was lacking-of 540 applying, 207 were rejected on medical grounds. The high physical standard demanded by the Service has been maintained.
I take the opportunity here to refer to the Police Discipline Board, of which mention is made later in the Report, and to express the view that the Boa~d has proved an asset to the Administration and is performing its difficult task in a most efficient manner .
•
6
Following on my Report to the Government, on my return from overseas in 1948, approval was given for Superintendent A. A. \Yebster and Detective-Inspector C. E. North to attend courses at the Police College, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, England, for the executive training of Officers for higher positions in the Police Service. They left Melbourne on R.l\LS. Orontes on the. 21st May, 1949, for a period of approximately twelve months, during which period both Officers, in addition to the College courses, will be afforded the opportunity of studying at first hand police methods in various Police Forces of Great Britain. I have no doubt that the experience gained overseas will adequately equip both Officers to establish and conduct a similar training College for senior officers in this State.
Senior Constable N. McCallum, a Master of Science of the Melbourne University, also left for England on the 13th December, 1949, per R.M.S. Strathmore, and will be attached to the Police Laboratory at Scotland Yard for a period of six months. The question of the establishment of a medico-legal laboratory in Melbourne under the control of the Crown Law Department has been under discussion for some time, and on my agreeing that Senior Constable McCallum should be seconded to the staff of that Laboratory, the Government approved of my recommendation that he should be sent overseas to acquire experience in the latest methods in forensic work. In this instance, also, I feel sure that the expenditure involved will be amply repaid by the enhanced value of the service to the State of this already highly qualified Officer.
The work amongst the youth of the State carried out by members of the Force continues to occupy an important place in our activities, with much benefit to young people and the Police Service.
'
7
CHAPTER 1. ADMINISTRATION.
STRENGTH OF THE FoRcE.
(a) Actual Strength-Chief Commissioner . . . . . . .. Iilspectin rintendent . . .. . . Superi s . . . . .. . . Chief Inspector . . . . . . .. Inspectors . . . . . . .. . . Sub-Inspectors . . .. . . . .
Sergeants, First Class .. . . . . . . Sergeants, Second Class .. . . . . Senior Constable~ . . . . .. . . Senior Constables (Brevet) . . . . . . First Constables (Foot) . . . . .. Constables (Foot) . . . . .. . . First Constables (Mounted) . . .. . . Constables (Mounted) . . . . .. . . Policewomen .. . . . . . . ..
Total . . . . .. . .
(b) Vacancies-Superintendents . . . . . . Inspectors . . .. . . . . . . Sub-Inspectors . . . . . . . . Sergeants, First Class .. . . . . .. Sergeants, Second Class . . . . . . Senior Constables . . .. . . . . Constables .. . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . ..
(c) Authorised Strength . . . . . . . .
Approximate Population of Victoria at 30th June, 1949 Approximate Population of Victoria at 30th June, 191B
Strength per head of Population-1940 1 824 1941 1 838 1942 1943 1944
1 1 1
855 882 908
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
. .
..
. .
. .
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
. .
..
. .
..
. .
. .
. .
..
1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
As at 31st December.
11148. 1941!.
1 1 1 1
17 18 1 1
20} Inspectors 61 37 Inspector (Brevet) 1
71} Sergeants 170 62 348 442
3 2 1,006 870
726 940 58 48 20 24 14 18
2,385 2,597
1 . .
H Inspectors 1
Sergeants 4
23 1 350 471
390 477*
2,775 3,074
2,139,124 2,090,668
1 850 1 737 1 746 1 753 1 696
• NO'l'E.-Thla figure Includes a.n Increase In authorl~ed Atrength of 2111!, whlrh was approved by C&blnet on 8th Mareh, 1949 .
•
8
Detailed Distribution of the Force a..'l at 31st December, 1949.
Foot.
il ~ "' t; ~ Distrl<lt. .9 ..; ~ ~
> :2
~ ·~ " !: " " " e 1;; ..,
I s . ~=I ~ li " "' "'"' 2 ,i e 0 s,g :s~ ;:: " ~ ;:;, oz. ~·~
,.... t! " " I .~ '-'"' .,_.c 'S " ~ " o> .;::~ .u "' !r i!" ·- ~ :a .5 ~ "" t'i's " ;:.. :71 "'>rl ""'"' "' 0 :oo_ ----!
Barwon .. .. . . . . l .. 2 .. 3 lii . .
Bourke .. .. . . . . I .. 4 .. 19 41 .. Central Highlands .. . . . . I .. 3 . . 5 l6 . .
Corangamite .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 .. 2 12 .. Depot .. .. . . . . . . .. 1 .. 3 9 .. East Gipps1and .. . . . . 1 . . 2 .. 3 6 . .
Flinders . . .. .. .. l . . 3 . . 13 31 . ,
Gippaland .. .. . . .. l .. 1 . . 6 15 .. Glenelg .. .. . . , . 1 . . 2 .. 2 ,j .. Goulburn . . .. . . . . 1 , . 1 .. 2 14 . .
Loddon .. .. . . .. I .. 2 .. 2 14 .. Mallee .. .. .. . . 1 . . 2 .. 3 I3 . . Melbourne . . .. .. . . I I 17 . . 56 124 l
Upper Goulburn .. . . . . l .. 1 .. 3 lO .. l)'pper Mu,rray .. .. .. I . . I .. 3 10 .. Wimmera . . . . . . .. 1 .. 1 .. 2 9 .. Yarra .. .. .. .. 1 .. 3 .. 10 30 .. C.I. Branch .. .. .. 1 .. 8 .. 23 38 . . Information Bureau .. . . . . .. .. 4 l 5 16 1
Traffic Control .. . . .. I .. 2 .. 5 14 .. Chief Coiiliilissioner' a
Office .. .. I 1 .. .. . . .. .. . . .. --------
Total .. I 1 18 1 61 I 170 442 2
The above figures Include two Senior Constables one
Appointments. Number appointed to the Force during 1948 Number appointed to the Force during 1949
Retirements, Discha!rges, &c.
. llounted. Policewomen.
~ ·i a; ~ '" :E ~ :0
~ j ...,
~ ~ ,;. ~~ ~ ;:: " z c :;;
~ .s 0 ~ -~
0
~ ! § ! § § 0 0 "' :., 0
----26 HJ 1 . . . . . . .. 78 62 . . l . . . . .. 57 22 4 3 . . . . ..
27 9 1 . . .. . . .. 2ii 48 5 15 . . . . .. 13 9 12 1 .. .. .. 63 53 . . . . . . . . .. 27 19 6 2 . . . . .. 26 10 1 .. . , . . .. 22 19 1 , . . . .. . . 36 15 .. l . . .. . . 24 25 I .. .. .. . .
167 363 . . .. l 7 10
2I 8 3 . . . . .. . . 24 12 4 .. . . . . 22 5 4 . . . . . . .. 51 44 4 1 . . .. . . 35 75 .. .. . . .. . . 28 12 1 .. . . . . .. 98 111 .. . . .. .. . .
! .. .. .. .. .. . . . .
--
870 940 48 24 l 7 10
seconded to C.omm mwt•alth Dcparhn(llut~;.
.,.
" c: I"<
67
206
lll
53
106
47
164
77
47
60
71
69
748
47
55
44
144
180
68
231
2
2,597
;., [:!
~ .,. ·= SB 00; C!:~
1
l
l
. . l
. . 1
. .
. . l
. .
. . 15
I
1
. .
..
5
9
2
. .
39
280 357
During the year 1949, 146 members left the Force-a decrease of 19 compared with 1948. The reasons for leaving were as follows :-
1 lllSpeeting I Senior [ ]'!rst Superin· Reasons. tendents. Superln- Inspectors. Sergeant•. Constables Constable and Total. tendents. · Constables.
-
Died . . . . . . 1 .. . . 3 . . 6 10 Superannuated~-
Retiring age .. . . I 1 6 6 9 19 42 Ill-health . . . . .. i . . . . 4 2 3 9
Resigned . . . . . . .. . . . . 1 80 81 Discharged or dismissed . . . . .. . . . . . . 4 4
--Totals . . .. 2 1 6
I 13 12 112 146
Promotions. Number of promotions during 1949 :
Superintendent to Inspecting Superintendent Chief Inspector to Superintendent Inspector to Chief J nspector Sub-Inspector to Inspector Sub-Inspector deemed Inspector Sergeant to Inspector To Brevet-Inspector First Class Sergeant to Sub-Inspector Second Class Sergeant to First Class Sergeant Senior Constable to Sergeant First Constable to Senior Constable Constable to First Constable
Cornmendat1:Uns. January February March April May June July August September October November December
Valour Badge.
Total ..
. •.
AW.ARDS.
The Valour Badge was awarded by the Chief Commissioner to--Senior Constable Philip Arnold Knight, 7889/369; First Constable Darrell Keith Downie, 9447/1498; Constable Ian Maxwell Ritchie, 9985/1979;
1 3 3 3
38 10 1 3 2
61 171 60
356
6 3
12 8 8
10 11 9
13 6 4 2
for outstanding devotion to duty and courage displayed in securing the apprehension of a man they knew to be armed, and who had previously attempted murder.
Cerrt~fi<>..ate of 1.U errit. Constable Frederick Gordon Jones, 9955/1951, was awarded the Certificate of Merit
of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia for his part in the rescue of two Italian fishermen at Mentone.
IN MEMORIAM.
Name. i Register Number. I
Date. Rank.
----~--------1---------------+~----1-··~ .. --·--
Superintendent First Constable Sergeant .. First Constable Sergeant First Constable First Constable First Constable First Constable Sergeant
Members.
Davis, William Edward Willis, George Miohael .. Walker, Benjamin Harold, V.B. Currie, David Henry, M:.M. Arrell, Henry David .. Fennell, Thomas Francis Wells, George Peter .. Keenan, David .. Wait, Everard Myles .. Puroell, Franois John ..
8720 6364 7096 5493 8875 8033 8466 8511 7856
10.2.49 29.3.49 21.4.49 4.5.49 8.5.49
15.6.49 31.7.49 21.8.49
15.10.49 16.12.49
10
IN MEMORI.AM ---continued.
Rank. .Name. Register ; umber . Date.
Pensioners.
Constable . . . . . . Ryan, James Sidney .. . . . . 4126 9 .1.49 First Constable . . . . Hollow, William James .. . . 5716 4.1.49 First Constable . . . . McKean, Samuel . . .. . . 7215 4.2.49 Brevet Senior Constable . . Smith, William . . . . .. 4268 5.2.49 First Constable . . . . Clinnick, Richard .J ames .. . . 4989 14.3.49 Inspector . . . . . . Kelly, William Michael .. . . . . 23.3.49 Superintendent . . . . Linehan, Daniel . . .. . . . . 29.4.49 Senior Constable . . .. Barry, James . . . . . . 3641 3.5.49 Sergeant, 1st Class . . . . Heraud, J ames . . .. . . 5684 12.6.49 Sergeant, 2nd Class . . . . Hardiman, Thomas l!'rancis .. . . 4304 18.6.49 Sergeant, 2nd Class .. . . Hayes, William Thomas . . . . 4594 23.6.49 Sergeant, 1st Class . . .. Young, William James . . . . 3421 4. 7.49 Sub-Inspector . . . . Rogers, J oseph . . .. . . . . 10.8.49 Sergeant, 1st Class . . .. Gray, Robert . . . . . . 3462 17.8.49 Sergeant, 1st Class . . .. Pendergast, Edward William . . . . 5650 22.8.49 First Constable . . . . Wirth, Ernest . . .. 7861 30.8.49 Constable . . . . .. Bunce, John .. . . . . . . 4475 22.9.49 Sergeant, 1st Clalls . . . . Olney, James Summers .. . . 4468 24.9.49 Superintendent . . .. Fowler, Wallace Roger . . . . . . 3.10.49 First Constable . . . . Tankard, Clarence Boyle . . .. 6955 16.10.49 Inspector . . . . . . Herbert, Bernard Vincent, V.B. .. . . 14.12.49 First Constable . . . . Toakley, Gilbert Henry . . .. 7579 16.12.49 Constable . . . . .. La Roche, Louis Edward .. . . 4672 20.12.49
HEALTH.
Injuries and Stcknei!S Incurred "On Duty."
lnjurle• and sickness Not "On Duty." I
TotaL
Year. I Average I I
Number Total Average Number Tot..! Number Total Average of Men. Days. Days of Men. Days. Days of Men. Days. Days
Abeent. Absent. Absent .
•
1948 . . . . .. 152 2,165 14 1,393 14,750 10 1,545 16,915 10
1949 . . . . .. 154 2,058 13 1,359 13,604 I 10 1,513 15,662 10
DISCIPLINE.
During the year, forty-six members were charged for offences against the discipline of the Force and the cases were disposed of as follows :-
How Charge Disj}(l>!ed of-
Number of Number of
m~J!d.l Fined. Charges Dt>alt \Vith hy- Members Charges Not Fined. bnt Dismissed Charged. Preferred. Charge Decision DeeM on Reducf<l Proceeded Dismissed. Deferred Deferred. In Rank. from the
With. by C.C.P. Senice.
Chief Commissioner, summarily . . 19 24 .. . . 4 6 2 12 . . . .
Police Discipline Board .. . . 27 49 9 20 . . 16 . . . . . . 4
Totals . . 46 73 9 20 4 22 2 12 .. 4 ~ ..... ___
11
HEADQUARTERS ADMINISTRATION.
At the end of the year there were 353 Public Service personnel employed as follows Headquarters, clerical 77 ~~~ooe W Motor Registration Branch 225 Police Hospital 11 City W atehhouse 4 Miscellaneous 6
Item.
Receipts~ Police services Motor Registration Branch Other revenue
ExpenditureSalaries, &c.
Police Public Service staff
----
. .
. . Motor cars--purchase, maintena nee, Miscellaneous ..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. . &c.
. .
FINANCE.
1949. .:::. 1948.
£ £
.. 196,682 + 17,079
.. 2,427,84i + 191,857
.. 1,375 -- 284
.. 1,189,794 + 136,494
.. 114,013 + 8,377
.. 29,067 + 5,567
. . 275,298 + 36,868
CENTRAL CoRRESPONDENCE BuREAu.
Total.
194\l. + 1948. -
£ £
2,625,899 + 208,652
1,608,172 + 187,306
During 1949, the work handled in this Bureau again exceeded that of the preceding year, as 231,608 files passed through the Bureau, being an increase of 27 ·22 per cent., while 4,736,496 items of mail matter were handled-an increase of 20·2 per cent. over 1948.
CoNFERENCES.
Conferences of District Superintendents were held monthly during the year and continued to prove most advantageous from an administrative point of view.
During November a conference of Police Commissioners of all States and New Zealand was held in Melbourne, at which much information and many ideas of mutual interest and benefit were exchanged.
The 18th General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Commission was held at Berne, Switzerland, in Nove~ber. This was attended in the capacity of an observer for Australia by Superintendent A. A. Webster, in charge of the Criminal Investigation Branch, Melbourne, who was studying police methods in England with Detective Inspector C. K North.
A conference of Criminal Investigation Branch Superintendents of the various States of the Commonwealth was held in Sydney during August, 1949. Many topics of general interest were discussed, resulting in an exchange of methods and ideas which should be of mutual advantage, as well as maintaining closer co-operation between the respective Branches throughout Australia.
12
CHAPTER 2.
RECRUITING AND TRAINING.
RECRUITING.
Generally speaking, efforts to obtain suitable candidates for the Force during the year were more successful than the previous year. This was no doubt, as the result of increased rates of pay and the introduction of compensatory allowances for night work and duty performed at weekends and on public holidays, combined with an intensive recruiting campaign. The following figures show the improvement over 1948 :-
Candidates called for examination Appointed
1948.
417 150
1949.
540 244
There were also four policewomen and 109 recruits from overseas appointed, which makes a grand total of 357 during the year. Of the 109 overseas recruits appointed, only 30 resigned as against 58 last year, indicating a big improvement in the migration scheme.
In July, a vigorous advertising campaign was launched and a new type of" Instructions to Candidates" was introduced, taking the form of an attractive folding brochure. This campaign was most successful as during the ensuing four months 311 applications were received.
Although the number of recruits arriving from overseas fell short of what was anticipated, it is considered that continued publicity overseas of our requirements, will produce a steady flow of suitable applicants. On the other hand, if the very satisfactory results still prevail from within the Commonwealth, the prospects of attaining full strength should be considerably enhanced during 1950.
TRAINING.
The training of recruits during the year was most satisfactory, only one recruit failing to pass the final examination.
13
CHAPTER 3.
BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY. On account of the acute housing position owners of a number of properties rented
as police stations are seeking to repossess them, with the result that every endeavour is being made to proceed with the programme of erecting new government-owned police stations. Approval by the Honorable the Chief Secretary was granted during ~949 for an expenditure of £68,705 for this purpose w hi eh is a little more than half of the amount a pp roved for a similar purpose in 1948.
The delay in carrying out proposals for which approval had already been granted due to the prevailing and increasing high costs in the building trade, has further delayed the submission of several other building projects, and is the reason for this reduction. However, a residential station at Speed and a non-residential station at Toorak were completed during the year.
As at 31st December, 1949, new stations and quarters were under construction at the following locations
Beeac Belmont Birregurra Boolarra Chiltern Geelong North
Greens borough Hopetoun Rosedale Stratford Underbool
Tenders have been called for the erection of new residential station buildings at Ascot Vale, Ballarat East, Brunswick West, Garfield and Yarra Glen, and contracts have been let for similar purposes at Caulfield, Diamond Creek, Mordialloc and Sandringham, and for new offices at Murtoa.
In addition to the foregoing, the Public Works Department has been requested to furnish estimates of cost for the erection of new buildings at Aspendale, Briagalong, Hamilton~ Kilmore, Maffra and Wangaratta.
The financial position with respect to works in hand as at 31st December, 1949, is as follows
Maintenance WorksTenders Accepted Amount committed for Tenders
New Works-Tenders Accepted Amount cemmitted for Tenders
£ 55,525 28,963
154,637 108,677
Land and buildings thereon at Broadmeadows were purchased for the sum of £19,300 for stud depot purposes, and the expenditure of £6,019 was approved for the purchase of land for the eventual erection of buildings at Balwyn, Carlton North, Garfield, Glenhuntly, Glen Iris, Glenroy, Hampton, Kinglake, Olinda and Wahgunyah.
A new station was opened at Yallourn North, and properties previously rented as Police Stations at Apsley, Geelong East, Malvern East and Murrumbeena were purchased at a cost of £10,157, whiCh, at the end of 1949, made totals of 277 government-owned and 114 rented premises, and a grand total of 391 Police Stations in Victoria.
Considerable difficulty has been experienced by members on transfer in obtaining residential accommodation, and the position became so desperate in some instances, that, in order to relieve the position, ministerial approval was given to purchase houses at a total cost of £18,509 at Ararat, Benalla (2), Cobram, Colac, Hamilton, Shepparton and Swan Hill, which have been let to the affected members and their families.
Due to the general shortage of houses and the use of makeshift offices pending the erection of new station buildings, the position regarding residential and office accommodation in several sub-districts continues to be very unsatisfactory. At Camperdown, where the very old station quarters have become uninhabitable, a nearby residence has been purchased to provide quarters for the Sergeant in charge of the station. The erection of a new win@: at the Police Headquarters at Russell-street to meet the further increasing departmental activities is most urgently needed, but owing to trade conditions and other urgent works on hand this project has been deferred for the time being.
Notwithstanding the many difficulties, however, considerable building work has been effected, and when building trade conditions become less acute, it is confidently expected that adequate and modern accommodation will rapidly be provided.
14
CHAPTER 4. SPECIAL BRANCHES.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BRANCH. In December, 1949, a new Criminal Investigation Branch Division was formed at
Heidelberg, bringing the total number of Divisions to 25 within the metropolitan area and 15 in the outer suburban and country centres. The total strength of this Branch as at the end of 1949 was 250 as compared with 182 in 1948.
The work of the Criminal Investigation Branch during the year was of a. very high standard. Twenty-six thousand three hundred and sixty nine offences were investigated, which represents an increase of 2,294 over the preceding year. There were 8,728 arrests effected, 10,539 offences being cleared up as the result, arid 2,957 revealed no offenceleaving 12,873 undetected. Included in these figures were 16 cases of murder for which 17 persons were apprehended, while a further 9 persons were arrested in conne:xion with the commission of 11 capital offences.
Three courses of the Detective Training School were conducted, being attended by a total of 37 members of the Force and three officers of the Commonwealth Security Service, two from Tasmania Police (C.I.B.), one from Northern Territory Police, and four from the Victorian Railways Investigation Branch.
The practice was continued of detailing detectives from Victoria, ~ ew South Wales, and Queensland for inter-change duty on a reciprocal basis every two calendar months, whilst with Western Australia, exchanges were arranged twice during the year for two months and once with South Australia and Tasmania.
The foregoing policy has proved to be of inestimable value to the detectives of the respective State Forces, as they gain direct information of the identity, associates, and movements of interstate criminals, as well as a valuable knowledge of industries, locations, &c., within the urban and suburban areas of the various cities in the Commonwealth.
The Special Branch (C.I.B.) continues to render valuable assistance to the many Commonwealth and State Government Departments and maintains a very close liaison with them.
Effect of New Legislation. An amendment to the Crimes Act implemented during 1949, enabling many cases
that were previously indictable offences to be dealt with summarily, has resulted in much valuable time being saved in court attendance by members of the Force, particularly the Criminal Investigation Branch.
Another important provision enables the Police to deal with a receiver of stolen property in Victoria when such property has been stolen outside this State but within the Commonwealth.
INFORMATION BUREAU. The total staff employed in the five sections of this bureau remained at the same
figure as last yea.r, i.e., 86. One member of the Force from Vietoria attended the Central Fingerprint Bureau,
Sydney, for a period of three months in continuation of the system of interchange of fingerprint experts.
Statistics of the work performed by each section of the Bureau as shown below, indicate that a high level of efficiency was maintained.
(a) Records Section Statistics-
Item. 1949. :!:: 1948.
··----····-------1-------1--···~---·--
K ew offenders docket prepared 0.0. and M.O. reports filed Supplementary reports received Interstate Criminal photos indexed " Missing Friend " reports filed Missing persons traced . . . . . . . . Searches of records for Govemment Departments, licences, &c. Searches in tracing property .. Identification resulting from previous item Other individual items . . . . . . Offenders index and history cards as at 31st December, 1949
1,200 39,826 40,000
4,012 685 403
51,343 1,060
309 48,774
195,218
+ 100 + 1,826 + 4,000 + 692 + 133 + 44 + 1,004
8 + 57 + 3,308 + 11,842
(b) Fingerprint Section Statistics-
Fingerprints received .. Fingerprints identified Visits to scenes of crime .. Identification from previous item .. Finge · taken of deceased persons .• Total rints filed at Bureau
(c) Oommunications-D.24.
15
1949. + 19~8.
8,994 4,993 2,987
165 28
130,591
+ 131 + 372 + 38
33 18
+ 13,820
The work of this section during the year was maintained at a high level of efficiency as indicated hereunder.
A new station, VL3PJ, was officially opened at Geelong Police Headquarters on 21st October, 1949, by the Honorable the Chief Secretary, and has been of great benefit to the police and public in that locality. This is the forerunner of the scheme to provide two-way radio transmission with radio cars at all country police districts in the near future.
The despatch of information of serious crime movements of criminals and stolen cars through interstate wireless channels has increased considerably, resulting in much success being achieved in the apprehension of interstate offenders.
Statistics-
Calls to Police units and Armed Services Arrests Stolen cars recovered .. Accidents attended Suspects questioned . . . . Calls through M079 (free line) .. Interstate wireless messages . . . . Broadcasts to Police Stations and cars ..
Analysis of Statistics-
- Area Car~.
Calls to . . .. . . 6,4!J6
Arrests by . . .. 3,767
Stolen cars recovered .. 171
Accidents attended .. 134
Suspects questioned . . 1,594
Section Cars.
7,203
581
167
1,281
1,029
Analysis of Calls received through M.079-Arrests made Accidents attended False calls .Miscellaneous
(d) Scientific Section-
--
Police Stations.
4,554
540
109
1,055
..
1949,
18,276 4,888
447 + 2,470 + 2,623 2,511 + 5,786 + 8,218 +
Defence.
. .
. .
. .
. .
23
206 223
60 2,022
+ 1948.
919 229 80
287 HO 351
1,421 650
Total.
1~,276
4,888
447
2,470
2,623
The work in the photographic studio has been greatly facilitated by the addition of two-speed Graphic cameras which were obtained during 1949. These cameras are particularly suitable in obtaining photographs of scenes of crimes, &c.
Senior Constable N. McCallum, who obtained his Master of Science degree with honors at ·the Melbourne University and the Exhibition in the School of Physiology, departed for England in December. He will be absent for at least six months, during which time he will study the latest techniques in forensic chemistry.
16
Btatistics-Examination of firearms, crime scenes, documents, &c. Surrendered and confiscated firearms Photographic-·
negatives of prisoners negatives of fingerprints at scenes of crime negatives of accidents, &c. prints from negatives
(e) Technical Section.
166 342
379 529
3,733 16,105
During 1949, this section successfully continued its varied activities. The maintenance on the Department's lines of communication was effected with little or no inconvenience. Barwon District Headquarters at Geelong was installed with two-way radio transmission and is working smoothly and tenders have been called to commence the installation of a similar system at Bendigo. Ministerial approval has also been obtained for the installation of 24-hour direct radio communication with all States of the Commonwealth, which it is hoped will be completed early in 1950.
A large number of graphs, diagrams, statistical data, accident plans, and official maps were prepared during the year and supplied to the various branches.
Officers of this section attended conferences and meetings of the Government Motor Transport Committee, and Commonwealth Transport Advisory CounciL . They also advised members of the Force on a variety of technical subjects, particularly in relation to the registration of motor vehicles.
PoLicEwoMEN. In accordance with the Regional Plan approved by the Government in March, 1949,
the strength of Women Police was increased to eighteen during the year to compensate for the introduction of the 40-hour week. There has, however, been a steady increase in their work, and there is no doubt that further increases in strength will be necessary.
The Women Police have been instrumental in bringing many offenders before the Courts, and, as illustrating the variety in the cases dealt with by this branch of the Service, the following statistics are illuminating
Totals for Yell.r ended 318t December, 1949.
Action Taken.
Type of Offence. Arrests. Summons. ·:R;;c;;;.;~,;,i~ Number
Reported. ~ex. Sex.
Male. E'em&le. :Male, Female.
Insufficient means . . . . . . . . 63 . . 63 . . .. 51 Larceny . . . . . . . . . . 11 1 10 . . .. 9 Unlawful possession . . . . . . . . 10 6 4 . . .. 10 Drunk and disorderly . . . . . . . . 43 5 38 . . .. 43 Resist arrest . . . . . . . . .. 3 1 2 . . . . 3 Offensive behaviour . . . . . . . . 9 3 6 . . .. 9 Indecent language . . .. . . . . 7 3 4 . . . . 7 Obstruction . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 . . . . .. 1 Assault .. . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . 3 . . . . 3 Insulting words .. . . . . . . . . 1 . . 1 . . .. 1 Indecent behaviour . . . . . . . . 1 . . 1 . . .. 1 Concealment of birth . . . . . . .. 1 . . 1 . . . . 1 Perjury . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .. 1 . . . . 1 Forgery . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . 1 . . .. . . Traffic offences . . . . . . . . .. 7 . . . . 7 . . 7 Wilful damage . . . . .. .. . . 1 1 . . . . . . 1 Fortune telling .. . . . . . . . . 1 .. . . . . 1 1 Illegally pawning . . . . . . .. 1 . . 1 .. . . 1 Breach of adjournment . . . . . . . . 3 .. 3 . . . . 3 Breach of recognizance . . .. . . . . 3 . . 3 . . .. 3 Warrant of commitment . . . . .. 3 . . 3 . . . . 3 Warrant of apprehension . . . . . . 1 . . 1 .. . . 1 Lunacy . . . . . . . . .. 5 . . 5 . . . . 5
17
PoLICEWOMEN-STATISTICS-continued. -----------··---··----···---------···------ ---------·~----
Totals for Year ended 31st December, 1949.
Action Taken. i
Type of Offence. Arrests. Summons. : Convictions
Number Recorded. Reported.
Sex. Sex. ·-
~!ale. Female. l\Ia!e. Female.
Children's Welfare Act-
Likely to lapse into vice or crime . . . . 39 1 38 . . ..
I
30
Unfit guardianship .. . . . . . . 59 22 37 . . . . 46
No settled place of abode .. . . . . 24 6 18 . . . . 12
Section 109 (parents charged failing to provide) .. 4 . . . . 2 2 4
Children charged under Section 109 . . . . 9 3 6 . . .. 9
Dwelling with drunkard .. . . . . 2 1 1 . . . . 2
Employing child without licence . . . . 1 .. . . . . 1 1
Totals .. . . . . 318 ·54 251 9 4 269
It is interesting to note that of the arrests recorded in the foregoing table, 29 males and 178 females were apprehended by Policewomen of the Uniform Patrol, who maintain constant supervision over city streets, hotel lounges, parks, gardens, docks, &c. During the course of their patrols the Uniformed Women Police have found it necessary to questiov 218 girls under 17 years, and 888 over 17 years regarding their behaviour and means of support, and have visited 232 homes in connection with such enquiries.
A general increase in the work of the Women Police Branch has been noted in all sections of their activities. For example, 725 statements were taken during the year from female victims of sexual offences as compared with 545 in 1948. The increase in the work amongst children---295 visits to homes regarding alleged neglect of children as compared with 181 in 1948-may be taken as an indication not only of the increased responsibilities of this Branch of the Service, but also of the fact that the public are becoming more conscious of the benefits t.o be gained from the advice and assistance of the Women Police. There is no doubt that the presence of Policewomen in the streets and their visits to private homes act as a strong deterrent to criminal prodivities on the part of many adolescents.
I am pleased to be able to record here the very valuable co-operation received by Women Police from officers of the Children's Welfare Department and the Children's Courts.
TRANSPORT BRANCH.
There were 14 new vehicles supplied to this Branch in 1949, the total number of motor vehicles at the end of the year being 178. The number of accidents over the period was 64, showing an average of one to 38,000 miles of travel. In view of the greater number of cars on the road, and the big increase in mileage, the accident rate (which was lower than the figures for the two preceding years) is regarded as highly satisfactory.
The majority of the repairs and maintenance to departmental vehicles and bicycles was effected by the workshop staff, as in previous years.
Hereunder are statistics as affecting this Branch Cars Passenger Bus Trucks, vans Motor 9ycles Bicycles Mileage tra veiled Maintenance cost Number of gallons of petrol used Running cost per mile, induding fuel, oil, tyres, repmrs, msurance M~les per g~llon, _petrol\ average overall M1les per pmt, ml J
10000(50.-2
94 1
13 70
450 .. 2,425,198
£26,379 153,966
2·6ld 15·75 141·1
18
WIRELESS PATROL.
The work of this section of the Force increased considerably during 1949, as will be observed in the following summary of activities.
The results achieved can be regarded as most successful, and the fact that several of the Patrol Leaders were former members of the Criminal Investigation Branch, no doubt had its effect on the general efficiency. Their experience and knowledge of criminals was largely responsible for clearing up a number of importa.nt cases.
Arrests made and summonses issued(a) as result of observation (b) as result of calls
Charges arising out of arrests and summonses Convictions recorded .. Stolen cars recovered .. Cars checked Suspects questioned Accidents attended Missing persons traced
··----··-· --·--··--
1U49.
3,4.17 l)Jl6 5,083 4,884
174 398
1,594 137 33
+ 1U±8.
+ 441 + 78 + 498 + 1,593 + 13
138 635
+ 41 16
19
CHAPTER 5. CRIME.
STATISTICS.
TotaiJ! for Year Ended 31st December 1949 '
I Action Taken.
Type ol Otfen ce.
Abandoning or exposing child under two years of age
Abduction Abortion, ~r attempt Assault, common Assault occasioning actual bodily
harm Assault, Police .. Bigamy Buggery Carnally knowing girl under ten
years, or attempt Carnally knowing girl over ten and
under 16 years or attempt Carnally knowing girl over sixteen and under eighteen years, or attempt
Concealment of birth Demanding money or property by
menace or threat Deserting wife or child Firearms, shooting with intent to
evade arrest or apprehension Grievous bodily harm, inflicting or
attempting Grievous bodily harm caused by neg-
ligence Gross indecency .. Incest or attempt Indecent assault on a female Indecent assault on male person Larceny from person, pickpockets .. Larceny from person, others Manslaughter Murder .. · Murder, attempt l1urder, discharging firearms with
intent to Rape Rape, attempt Robbery, being armed Robbery, with violence Robbery, with wounding Setting fire to dwelling house knowing
persons to be therein .. Snicide, attempted Unlawfully and maliciously wounding Wilful and obscene exposure
Total
I
Number No Offence i Cle~;:;~"up. Reported. Disclosed. [
I
I I
Offences Against the Person.
1 .. 1 1 .. 1 7 .. 7
584: 3 4:53
39 .. 33 206 .. 203 23 .. 21 18 .. 18
8 .. 7
61 .. . 57
21 1 20 1 .. . .
12 .. 10 2 .. 2
1 .. 1
4:8 .. 4:6
7 .. 7 39 .. 34: 7 .. 7
189 2 123 4:9 .. 4:0
34:3 15 4:5 285 19. 64:
7 .. 7 9 .. 9
10 .. 8
12 .. 10 17 .. 14: 7 1 5 9 .. 2
180 11 51 3 .. 2
4: .. 3 3 .. 3
27 ..
I 22
333 i
3 14:2
2,573 i
55 : 1,4:78
Arrests.
Sex.
Males. I }~emales.
. . 1
. . . . 3 3
4:26 10
33 1 177 8
11 3 9 . .
3 . .
17 . .
4: .. . . . .
7 . . 2 . .
1 . .
4:3 . .
9 . . 16 . . 5 . .
58 1 26 . . 31 1 34: 5
6 . . 9 1 5 2
10 . . 16 . . 5 .. 3 . .
59 .. 2 . .
3 . . 3 . .
22 . . 88 1
1,14:6 37
Offences Against Property with Violence.
Burglary Factory-breaking Garage-breaking .. Hotel-breaking .. House-breaking and stealing
attempt House-breaking, holiday homes Magazine· breaking
10000/50.-3
or
14: 4:09 24:3 56
2,4:19 36 11
1 122 107
2 83 78 7 10
20 835 4:70 5 1 9 5
2 3
Summons.
Sex.
M"les. I Females.
. . . . 1 . .
. . . . 34: ..
5 . . 10 . . 9 . . 2 . .
4: . .
4:5 . .
17 . . . . . .
1 . . . . . .
. . . .
5 . .
1 . . 9 . . 3 . .
4:2 .. 7 . . 3 1
12 4: 1 . .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . . 1 . .
. . . .
. . . . 3 2
. . . .
. . . .
. . . . 2 . .
29 .. 24:6 7
I
32 12 1
72 7
5
20
STATISTICS-continued.
Totals tor Year Ended 31st December, 1949.
Action Taken.
Type of Offenre. Arrests.
Cle~:'d"up. Number No Offence Reported. Disclosed.
Sex.
Males, I
Offences A,qainst Property w£th Viole-nce-continued. Office-breaking .. Other breakings and stealings or
attempts Pavilion-breaking Schoolhouse-breaking Shop-breaking and stealing or attempt Shop-breaking, smash and grab Storeroom and warehouse breaking Theatre-breaking .. Maliciously killing, ma1mmg or
wounding animals birds or cattle Malicious injury to property Malicious act with intent to obstruct
or injure railways Possession of explosives Sacrilege Wilful damage ..
Total
425
91 129 115
1,260 207 362 10
12 3
5 9
38 865.
6,719
4
..
.. 2 4
.. 3
. .
..
..
..
..
.. 6
43
142 107
25 15 64 42 48 24
333 305 22 14
116 85 .. . .
4 2 3 1
2 . . 9 10
33 12 145 108
2,004 1,398
Offences Against Property without Violence.
Cattle stealing 82 19 15 4 Dog stealing 30 8 9 1 Embezzlement 135 129 35 False pretences, obtaining goods or
money by 306 3 250 55 False pretences, valueless cheques .. 185 3 123 48 Fires, careless use of 22 19 1 Fires, lighting of during prohibited
period 23 20 4 Fraudulent conversion 7 4 1 Horse-stealing 93 31 16 4 Illegally using vehicles other than
motor vehicles .. 11 10 7 Larceny of animals or birds ordinarily
kept in confinement 93 ~ 27 11 Larceny as a bailee 80 I 60 42 I.arceny from banks 5 1 Larceny from beaches, swimming
pools, &c. 129 22 6 Larceny of bicycles · 2,396 302 285 94: Larceny from buildings in course of
erection or renovation .. 4:85 I6 61 20 Larceny from clothes lines and private
laundries 24:6 3 37 13 Larceny on Defence Department 43 9 1 Larceny in a dwelling 2,171 I 53 591 298 Larceny by finding 28 2 12 7 Larceny from factories 4:78 11 155 69 Larceny from guest and boarding
houses 317 12 89 56 Larceny of hides and skins 2 I.arceny from hospital premises 140 1 71 29 Larceny from hotels (hotel barber) 197 7 46 27 Larceny from hotels, others 297 17 77 50 Larceny of letters or articles sent,
through post .. 14 2 10 5 Larceny on Melbourne and Metro-
politan Board of Works 20 4 4: 2 Larceny from motor vehicles, car
parts .. 1,288 18 134 74 Larceny from motor vehicles, others 2,523 59 368 244
I
'
Females.
. .
. .
. . 4 I
. .
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. . 4
14
2 3 1
2
22
6
5
10 3 2
Summons.
Sex.
Males. I Females,
I 43
I ..
5 . . 27 . . 32 .. 88 .. 7 . .
43 . . . . . .
2 . . 3 . .
5 . . . . . .
2 . . 46 ..
425 7
3 5
26 6
4I 3 6 1
16 1
18
I2
5
35 5 1
8 8 64 6
55
4 2 3
105 20 6
66 7
2 5
2 8 11 1 11 1
3 1
34 50
-
STATISTICS-continued,
Totals for Year l!lnded 31st December, 1949. -·-·--- .... --· ----····---------····----···---···-
Type Of Offence. No Offence ! Disclosed.
Sax.
Males.
Action Taken.
Summons.
Sex.
Females. Males. Females.
Offences Against Property without Violence-continued.
Larceny of motor cars or trucks Larceny of motor cycles .. Larceny from offices Larceny, any others Larceny on P.M.G.'s Department,
telephone booths Larceny on P.M.G.'s Department,
others Larceny of poultry or other birds Larceny from private premises, gar
dens, verandahs, &c. Larceny of property consigned by rail Larceny from public conveyances,
private properties Larceny from public libraries, uni
versity, schools, town halls, &c. Larceny from public parks and gar-
dens Larceny of railway property Larceny as a servant Larceny from ships Larceny in shops, shop-lifting Larceny in shops, from tills Larceny in shops, others . . . Larceny from sports grounds &c. . . Larceny in theatres and houses of
amusement Larceny by a t.rick Larceny in warehouses and storerooms Larceny from wharves Receiving stolen property Setting fire to buildings .. Setting fire to forests, grass and crops Setting fire to other property Sheep stealing Unlawful possession
Total
1,554 569 252
1,589
56
76 22
544 306
150
228
52 239 664 202 517 99
463 150
176 52
227 102 92 18 10 2
133 528
I 20,918
41
I
390 325 19 126 67 2 51 22
94 348 165
.. 7 6
3 21 16 4 3 ..
26 136 35 10 36 18
10 17 5
8 41 23
4 6 4 7 38 23 2 625 165
10 55 29 4 305 126 1 47 21
13 105 59 6 31 20
5 46 17 2 33 15 3 53 43 4 39 36
.. 92 41 1 11 9 1 10 2
.. 2 . . 20 9 4 2 522 443
976 5,859 2,947
Forgery and Offences Against the Currency.
Forging, bank notes and coins 9 5 Forging, others .. 127 116 Uttering, bank notes and coins 1 Uttering, others .. 21 15
Total 158 136
Offences Against Good Order.
Absconding from bail 1 1 1 Assuming designation of member of
Police Force .. 1 Breach of bond .. 12 10 7 Bribery, police or other officials 6 6 5 Carrying of firearms on Sunday 92 92 4 Carrying of firearms, under eighteen
years 16 16 Carrying of offensive weapon 13 13 6 Common nuisance 2 2 Consorting 18 18 16
2 80 1 .. 28 . .
2 8 5 3 155 2
. . 1 . .
.. 8 I 3
. . 6 1
3 51 2 .. 22 . .
1 4 .. .. 12 . .
.. 2 . .
.. 11 . . 8 92 29 1 16 ..
63 70 52 5 37 3 6 28 7
.. 11 . .
.. 11 . . 8 5 1 1 25 ..
.. 8 . .
. . 27 1 1 2 ..
.. 8 . .
. . 1 1
.. 1 . . 14 56 4
174 1,382 183 '
1 3 7 2
3 2 2
6 10 4
1 1 1 1
88
18 2
2 3
STATISTICS-continued.
Totals for Year Ended Sist December, 1949.
Action Taken.
Type of O!Ience. .Al:rests. Summons.
Cle~=8Up. Number No Olfence Reported. Dlselosed.
Males.
Offe:nces Against Good Order-continued.
Conspiracy Cruelty to animals Deserters, ship .. Discharging firearms without per-
mission of local authority Drinking methylated spirits Drugs, possession of Drunk and disorderly Drunk in charge of loaded firearms Escaping from custody Evading train or tram fare Fortune telling .. Idle and disorderly, beg alms Idle and disorderly, vagrancy Idle and disorderly, others Inciting person to resist arrest Indecent behaviour Indecent or obscene language Indecent and obscene publications .. Insulting words .. Keeping of disorderly houses, brothels Male person living on earnings of
prostitute Minor offences, others Neglected children Obstructing and resisting Police Offensive behaviour Perjury Prostitute behave in indecent manner Prostitution, aid and abet Public mischief .. Rogue and vagabond Sly grog Soliciting prostitution Stowaways Throw or discharge stone or missile Trespass
Total
10 .. 20 .. 59
14 .. 54 .. 10 ..
17,853 .. 2 ..
22 .. 12 .. 3 ..
87 .. 779 53 7 ..
190 .. 657 ..
1 . . 218 ..
5 ..
3 .. 44 ..
109 .. 225 ..
1,316 .. 28 .. 13 .. 3 .. 2 ..
255 89 ..
122 .. 6 ..
11 .. 38 ..
22,481
10 15 15 1
2 50 50
13 6 53 56 10 6
17,853 16,424 2 2
15 17 12 12 3 . .
87 87 1 778 681 1 45 38
6 6 189 141 657 575 . . .. 218 161
5 . . 3 3
38 22. 109 59 225 186
1,300 1,215 2.8 9 13 . . 3 2 2 2
5 207 187 88 10
122 . . 6 6 7 3
24 15
9 22,354 20,036
Sex.
J Females.
1,429
1
112 2
14 50
29 3
45 5
37 2
10 1
3 1
60 1
i 1,809
Males.
8 14
6
4
2
3 5
2.8 33
25
17 10 30
125 8
23 71
4 7
533
Breaches of Acts dk not Including Offences Provided for Under Foregoing Headings.
Children's Welfare Act 60 59 34 26 Commonwealth Crimes 4 4 1 Commonwealth Immigration 57 1 29 31 Country Fire Authority 5 5 4 Customs Act 6 6 3 3 Education 31 31 19 Firearms 112 112 74 1 47 Fisheries and Game 1 1 1 Hawkers and Pedlars 7 7 4 3 .Justices 1 1 1 Landlord and Tenant .. 1 1 1 Licensing, possession of Liquor at halls 33 33 4 1 29 Local Government 99 96 13 62 Melbourne Harbour Trust 637 637 636 Mental Hygiene .. 2.0 2.0 12 8 Newspapers and Printers 8 8 1 3 Pawnbrokers 5 4 1 3 Police Offences-other than Gaming 44 44 25 ! 17 Posts and Telegraphs 2 2 1 2 Police Offences, False Fire Alarms 4 3 4
Sex.
_j Females.
1
4 1
1 2
4 2
2 3
6 62
1
92
1
12
1 19 1
23
STATISTICS--continued.
Totals for Year Ended 31st December, 1949.
Action Taken.
Type of Offence~ No Cases Arrests. I Summon•. Number Offence Cleared Reported. Di•closed. Up.
! Sex. Sex.
i Male~. _\ Female•. I Males. _I Female•. -~-
Breaches of Acts not Including Offences prooided for under Foregoing Headings-continued. Railways By-laws Second-hand dealer's Sheep Owners' Protection State Electricity Commission Regu-
lations Transport Regulations
Total
ences against the person Oft Oft ences against Property
violence .. . .
.. with
. . Oft ences against Property without
violence . . . . .. Fo rgery and offences against the
Currency . . . . . . ences against Good Order .. Ofi
Bre aches of Acts not including offences provided for under the foregoing headings . . .. . .
Grand totals ..
28 . . 25 8 .. 6 1 .. 1
21 .. 21 11 . . 11
1,206 1 1,167
Totals. 2,573 55 1,478
6,719 43 2,004
20,918 976 5,859
158 .. 136 22,481 9 22,354
1,206 1 1,167
54,055 1,084 32,998
JuvENILE DELINQUENCY.
20 1 4 .. . . . . 6 . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . 21 . . . . .. 11 . .
---214 52
!
875 :
34
1,146 37 246 7
1,398 14 425 7
2,947 174 1,382 183
46 6 10 4 20,036 1,809 533 92
214 52 875 34 ~-· ----
25,787 2,092 3,471 327
A further decrease in juvenile delinquency during 1949 is consistent with the gradual. but sustained decrease since 1942--43. Perusal of the under-mentioned figures show that whilst larceny was the most common offence committed, and this year's figure is only one in excess of that for 1948, all other offences were considerably lower than in previous years.
i Break, Other Summary Year. l.arceny. Enter IndlctaMe Individuals. Cnset>l.
and Steal. Offences. Offences.
---
1940 . . .. 1,033 606 320 714 2,673 5,087 1941 . . .. 1,029 598 273 616 2,516 5,518 1942 . . .. 1,446 808 229 933 3,416 6,278 1943 . . .. 1,146 644 165 940 2,895 6,038 1944 . . .. 719 565 86 731 2,101 4,971 1945 .. . . 672 427 84 661 1,844 4,562 1946 . . .. 537 450 74 364 1,425 3,601 1947 . . .. 532 285 83 372 1,272 3,022 1948 . . .. 423 363 57 a42 1,185 2,773 1949 . . .. 424 269 51 304 1,048 2,893
I ~•-c- . '~.
In regard to the disposal of cases against juveniles, the figures below clearly indicate that in the majority of cases the children are permitted to remain with their parents, by either being placed on probation or the case being adjourned in an endeavour to enable parents to remedy the matter.
Year. Probation. Adjourned. Institutions. Suspended Fine. Caution. Individuals. Sentence.
1946 . . .. . . 410 441 297 44 191 42 1,425 1947 . . . . .. 346 409 233 30 217 37 1,272 1948 . . .. . . 429 333 246 34 140 21 1,203 1949 . . . . .. 229 403 139 23 162 22 1,048
24
" Home life " is the main factor that determines the attitude and behaviour of the child towards society generally, and lack of parental control due to defective home and family relationships largely contributes to juvenile delinquency. Other contributing factors are bad companions and associates and anti-social parents, whether convicted or not.
The following suggestions are advanced as preventative measures :(a) Extension of adult education for parents ; (b) Attention to a full and profitable occupation of the child's leisure time ; (c) Intelligence tests and vocational guidance; (d) Extension of pre-school, kindergarten, play-grounds and community centres
for supervised youth activity.
25
CHAPTER 6. TRAFFIC.
TRAFFIC CoNTROL DisTRICT.
Each section of this District has reported increased activities during 1949. Despite the splendid efforts 'by trained personnel with respect to the education of road users in the principles of road safety, there was an increase of 2,295 over the figure for 1948 in the number of accidents reported.
This unsatisfactory position can no doubt be largely attributed to the considerable increase in road traffic owing to the abandonment of petrol rationing and the number of new vehicles registered during the year.
Statistics show that the most prolific causes of accidents in order of importance were:-
(a) Inattentive driving ; (b) Failure to give right of way ; (c) Careless pedestrians; (d) Failure to keep to the left; (e) Excessive speed ; (j) Failure to observe signals; (g) Failure to give hand signals.
To these must be added a general lack of a sense of responsibility on the part of many persons driving motor vehicles, and the only real accident~prevention measure· seems to be a sufficient number of Traffic Police to adequately control movement of traffic.
Summa;ry of Accidents for yea;r Ended 31st December, 1949.
City. Suburban. Country. ...
I I .8 Killed. Injured. Killed. Injured. K!Ued. Injured. ... . , ...
- ~ .,;
I ,I -e ~j i i ~ i ~ " § ~ I ~ ~ " ~ ·= "§ ai 'E' "'"' ~ " ~ " "
.,;;. 0
I ~ ~ 0 ~
.... :e 0 .... 3 "" "' f <3 ~ f <3 ~ !!! ~
·~" " " " " " " .. 0 " " " " 0 ,t:s ~ ~ -< ~ z ,... "'1
"" ~ z ,... -<: ,. -<: ~ ,... ~:.
- ------------ - -
January .. .. .. 49 58 84 133 14 14 315 368 387 716 13 13 174 257 240 427 65 1,341 February .. .. . . 46 47 91 137 10 10 302 338 333 645 19 22 177 254 189 385 72 1,23!) }larch .. .. . . 45 46 112 157 11 12 348 411 450 809 11 13 175 218 219 405 6!) 1,440 April .. 2 2 47 51 101 150 17 17 343 420 415 775 15 22 209 294 287 511 81 1,illi May .. 2 2 55 63 96 153 20 20 367 407 506 893 20 22 183 243 260 463 49 1,558 June .. 1 1 58 58 82 141 34 34 376 428 478 888 11 12 224 305 307 542 50 1,621 July .. 1 1 46 50 94 141 21 21 427 502 565 1,013 18 21 220 313 266 504 50 1,708 August .. . . . . 47 52 103 150! 15 15 394 465 449: 858 15 17 H!O 234 251 446 63 1,517 September .. 2 2 37 42 83 122i 14 14 337 402 477 828 26 26 158 207 227 411 55 1,416 October .. .. 47 51 97 1441 11 12 370 411 4ll 792 9 13 179 224 226 414 64 1,414 November .. .. .. 52 54 86 138 12 12 348 423 4141 774 17 19 165 221 219 401 50 1,363 December .. 2 2 52 56 105 159 13 16 354 441 5031 870 23 25 231 333 259 513 53 1,i51J!)
- ~--- ~"
Total 1949 .. 10 10 581 628 1,135 1,725 192 197 4,281 5,016 5,388 9,861 197 225 2,275 3,103 2,950 5,422 721 17.72!)
Comparative Figures 1948 4 4 569 607 1,208 1,781 167 167 3,630 4,27l 4,767 8,.564 1.57 168 1,847 2,561 2,460 4,464 625 15,4;{4
The following is a summary of the work carried out by the Traffic Control District during 1949
Accidents attended 2,422 Accident reports dealt with 17,729 Arrests 2,528 Bodies removed to the Morgue 35 Crime reports circulated 2,210 D.24 calls attended 7,203 Miles travelled by motor vehicles. . .1,471,378 Motor vehicles checked on highways 11,577 Persons to whom safety lectures given 178,300 Stolen cars recovered 167 Suspects questioned 1,029 Traffic offences detected 10,837 Transport Act breaches detected . , 1,986
26
MoToR REGISTRATION BRANCH.
A comparison of all phases of the work of this branch for 1949 with the figures for the previous year clearly show continued increases :-
Item. 1949. + 1948.
Motor Vehicles Registered as at 31st December, 1949. 1\lotor cars-
Private 201,237 + 23,350
Commercial 67,249 + 5,583
Primary producer 66,814 + 3,589
Hire 4,086 + 115
1\lotor cycles 33,099 + 2,461
Trailers .. 10,450 + 94
Traction engines 61 31
Omnibuses 1,530 + 650
Drivers' licences current as at 31st December, 1949 511,943 + 33,330
New motor cars registered in 1949 35,999 8,888
New motor cycles registered in 1949 6,057 + 1,686
Revenue for the year ended 31st December, 1949 £2,600,665 + £234,041 (Inclusive of Third Party Insurance, £3,344,440)
TRAFFIC OFFENCES.
The following statistical table shows the number of traffic offences reported by all branches of the Force throughout ·the State :-
Offence. Number Offence. Number Reported. Reporti>d.
Road Traffic Regulations- Road Trajfic Re!Julations-continued
Motor Vehicles-Motor Vehicles-continued
Speed major/minor intersection 592 Against automatic traffic signal .. 1,768 Speed minor/minor intersection 338 Against reasonable direction of Constable 13 Unattended between safety-zone and Across course of moving tram-car 4 kerb 72 Drive through safety-zone .. 38 Drive on wrong side of safety-zone .. 2 Other Vehicles-Fail to indicate intention to stop 13 Across course of moving tramcar 1 Form third line of traffic 286 Cyclist clinging to other vehicle 59 Fail to indicate intention to turn 206 Fail to give way to vehicle on right 1 Fail to stop major/major intersection 4,219 Fail to keep as near left as practicable 1 Fail to stop minor/major intersection 701 Fail to indicate intention to turn 1 Fail to give way to vehicle on right .. 172 Fail to stop major/major intersection 1 Fail to keep left of double lines 1,018 Parked within 30 feet of tram stop .. 1 Fail to keep as near left as practicable 174 Parked within 30 feet of intersection 1 Fail to have full view of traffic 4 Pass vehicle on wrong side 2 Fail to observe traffic lanes 405 Fail to give way to Police, Ambulance, Pedestrialli!
or Fire Brigade .. 1 Against automatic traffic signal 371 Incorrect right-hand turn 1,344 Against hand signal of constable 5 Leave less than 10 feet of roadway .. I Board moving tram-car 14 Park within 20 feet of safety-zone .. 3 Parked more than 10 inches from kerb 156 Parked within 30 feet of intersection .. 50 Road Trajfic (Country) Regulations-Parked within 15 feet of pillar box .. 8 Motor Vehicles-Parked within 15 feet of fire hydrant 24 Against automatic traffic signals 14 Parked within 30 feet of tram stop 6 Against reasonable direction of constable 1 Parked along double lines .. 19 Drive through safety zone .. 1 Parked. in front of private drive 2 Excessive speed over intersection 73 Pass stationary tram-car 94 Fail to slow down at railway crossing .. 1 Pass tram-car on wrong side 40 Fail to stop close to kerb .. 6 Pass vehicle on wrong side 9 Fail to stop at standard stop sign .. 235
27
TRAFFIC OFFENCES-continued.
Offence.
Road Traffic (Country) Regulation.s~continuedi .M:otor Vehicles-----(jontinued- I
Fail to stop before entering from right-of-way ..
Fail to keep left of double lines Fail to indicate intention to turn Fail to keep as near left as practicable Fail to give way to vehicle on right Fail to signal intention to stop Form third line of traffic Incorrect right-hand turn Parked opposite double lines Parked in front of right-of way Parked within 15 feet of fire hydrant Parked within 30 feet of intersection Pass vehicle on wrong side Pass stationary tramcar Unattended between safety zone and
kerb
Other Vehicles~ Against automatic signal lights Cyclist clinging to other vehicle Fail to stop at stop sign Form third line of traffic
Motor Car Acts and Regulations~ Against hand signal of Constable Dazzling rays Defaced owner's certificate Defaced number plate Driving under influence of liquor Driving without headlights Driving without rear lights Exceed height allowed Exceed width allowed Exceed conditions of weight permitted .. Exceed 10 tons gross, four-wheeled
vehicle Exceed 13 tons gross, six-wheeled · vehicle Exceed weight limit on country road .. Exceed length allowed Fail to give name and address after
accident .. Fail to stop after accident Fail to report accident Fail to produce licence on demand Fail to return number plates .. Fail to notify change of address Fail to notify Chief Commissioner of Police
of possession Fail to notify Chief Commissioner of Police
of disposal Fail to give particulars of driver Fail to have full control of vehicle Fail to notify altered construction Fail to keep record of trade plates Fail to have full view of traffic Fail to keep 'record of repairs Fail to stop at request of person in charge
of horse Fraudulently using number plates Fraudulently using registration label Fraudulently using licence Illegally using motor vehicle Ineffective brakes Ineffective silencer Lights other than prescribed
Number Reported.
1 131 34 76 45 1
18 43 11 3 2
16 7 8
1
2 12 4 1
437 77 1 1
253 1,062 1,408
22 46 5
7
43 32 10
288 209
61 179 31 20
5
7 5
28 2 1 2 2
1 11 6 3
105 276 527 69
Offence.
Motor Car Act and Regulations-continuedManner dangerous No identifying number plates No registration label Negligent manner No independent rear light switch No instrument of warning No light on extended load . No rear vision mirror No side lights No signalling device-left-hand drive
vehicle No silencer .. No windscreen wiper Obtaining licence by false statement Obscured number plates Obstruction .. Offensive noise Offensive smoke or smell Overloaded motor truck Parked without lights Private vehicle used commercially Permitting unlicensed driver to drive Quit car without precautions re starting Reckless driving Refuse to state name and address Rear number plate not illuminated Refuse to weigh truck Reversing further than necessary Reversing without due care Speeding passenger bus Speed dangerous Speed through towns Speeding service cars Speeding motor truck State false name and address .. Towing more than one trailer Trailer coupling not approved type Unnecessary obstruction ·Unlicensed driver Unregistered trailer .. Uninsured (third party) Unregistered motor vehicle Unsafe motor vehicle Using spot-light on highway
;.·
Use trade-plates on Sunday without authority
Transport Regulation Acts-Accept separate and distinct fares Carry wrong goods .. Defaced transport label Drive excess hours Drive more than 5! hours without rest Fail to carry time card Fail to keep time-book Fail to have 10 hours of rest .. Fail to enter time-card Fail to keep wages-book Insufficient hours for rest No driver's certificate No transport label Operate after sunset .. Operate outside radius Over-length logs Over-height load Overloaded passenger vehicle Passengers on commercial goods vehicle Permit insufficient hours for rest
Number Reported.
352 326 77
454 19 62 22
118 344
1 149 146
5 71
873 54 3
29 33 2
42 5 8 8
41 , .L
8 6
19 230
4 18
1,100 23 2 2
583 1,486
13 9
354 3 3
2
1 291
1 32
5 338
6 14 M
1 68 3
74 11
544 4 6 3
14 9
28
TRAFFIC OFFENCES-continued.
Offence. Number Offence. Number Reported. Reported.
----
Transport Regvlation Acts.-continued. Police Offences Act-continued Permit no time card . . .. 3 Other Vehicles-Permit to drive more than 5l hours with- Obstruction . . .. . . 2
out rest .. . . . . . . 1 Ride bicycle on wrong side of road .. 9 Permit to drive excess hours .. . . 2 Riding bicycle on footpath .. . . 55 Sunday carting . . . . .. 163 Wheel not securely fastened . . 12 Tare not painted on vehicle .. . . 2 Unlicensed goods passenger vehicle .. 7 Pedestrians-Unlicensed goods vehicle .. . . 335 Obstruction . . . . . . 2 Unlicensed passenger vehicle . . .. 9 Unauthorized trailer .. . . . . 1 Unauthorized goods . . . . .. 16 Melbourne City Council Regulations-Unchained load .. . . . . 2 Motor Vehicles-
Against one-way traffic . . .. 2 Parked on taxi rank . . .. 7
Police Offences Act- Prohibited turn . . .. . . 8 Motor Vehicles- Parked on carriers stand .. . . 1
Drunk in charge of motor vehicle .. 144 Private vehicle on commercial track .. 12 Drive on footpath .. .. . . 19 Unattended in prohibited area . . 679 Drive on wrong side of road .. 796 Hinder Police . . .. . . 2
Sheep Owners Protection Act-Other Vehicles- Carry sheep without permit . . .. 1
Drunk in charge of vehicle .. 20 Drunk in charge of bicycle .. 13 Illegally using bicycle . . .. 2 Justices Act-No lights on bicycle .. . . 1,238 Aiding and abetting in commiSSIOll of No lights on vehicle . . . . 15 offence .. . . . . . . 43 Negligently riding bicycle . . .. 26 Negligently driving vehicle . . .. 6 Total . . . . 30,654
Bailiff, County Court .. Bailiff, Court of Mines .. Bailiff, Crown Lands Bailiff, Sheriff's Clerk of Pettv Sessions Coast Guard · .. Commissioner of Supreme Court Electoral Agent Forest Officer .. Inspector of Border Stock Inspflctor of Factories .. Inspector of Fisheries and Game Inspector of Nuisances Issuer of Miner's Rights Issuer of Trout Licences Metp,orological Observer Mining Registrar Prosecuting Officer Registrar of Pensions .. River Gauge Reader Summoning Officer Supervisor of Rocket Crew Practices Warden's Clerk Wharf Manager Miscellaneous ..
29
CHAPTER 7. OTHER POLICE DUTIES.
ExTRANEous PosiTIONS.
Position.
Total
Number of men holding such positions ..
FIREARMS.
Number of Positions Held at 31st December, 1949.
138 14 4
60 3 4
16 21
8 5
263 18 72 9
10 2
14 179
2 7
204 4 5
37 30
1,129
521
Although the number of pistols confiscated by Police during 1949 was considerably lower than that for the previous year, there is undoub~edly a large number of unregistered pistols held by otherwise law-abiding citizens who are either ignorap.t of the law or fail to realize their sense of duty. This is evidenced by the fact that 94 were found in the effects of deceased persons. The potential danger of criminals becoming possessed of such pistols is ever-present, and the provision by legislation of stricter control of firearms with heavier penalties for breaches of Statutes is strongly emphasized.
Pistols registered in names of institutions, private individuals, &c. . .
Pistols confiscated and surrendered Prosecutions for possessiOn of and carrymg unregistered
pistols, &c.
GAMING .
5,372 157
43
. During 1949, Police maintained constant vigilance with respect to gaming offences, with the following results :-
ming offences detected ses before Court
Ga Ca Co nvictions-
Street betting
. .
. .
.. Common gaming house
Ca To
Betting house Other offences
ses dismissed . . tal fines . .
. .
. .
. .
. .
Statistics.
Item.
. . . . ..
. . .. . .
. . .. . .
. . .. . .
. . . . . .
. . . . ..
. . . . . .
. . . . ..
1949. 2 1948.
.. . . 1,961 - 408
. . . . 1,942 - 387
. . . . 728 - 74
. . . . 12 - 57
.. . . 159 + 17
. . . . 976 - 164
.. .. 52 - 133
. . . . £22,077 -£2,671
.
30
LICENSING.
The number of licensing offences detected and applications for transfers of licences during 1949 show increases over the corresponding items for the previous year. These increases appear to be consistent with the increased supplies of liquor available as compared with previous years when stocks were limited.
As the result of special attention to sly-grog sellers, 151 cases were brought before the Court and the sale of confiscated liquor amounted to £501 2s. 3d.
Reports of Licensing Inspectors throughout the State indicate that the condition of licensed premises is on the whole reasonably satisfactory. General shortages of material and labour have retarded the progress of improvements which many of the licensees are seeking to effect.
It~m. 1949. .::. 1948.
Lioences in foroe-Hotel 1,671 35 Club .. 121 Wiue .. 121 16 Billiard rooms 182 18 Miscellaneous 321 2
Total 2,416 71
Reports submitted for the information of the Lioensiug Court 10,035 + 2,393 Applications for transfers .. 612 + 112 Applications objeoted to .. 44 47 Applications refused by the Court 20 4 Lioensing offenoes detected 3,225 + 363 Result of Court aotion-
Convictions reoorded .. 2,645 + 433 Cases dismissed 242 + 12 Cases withdrawn 220 98
Total oases before the Court .. 3,107 543
Total amount of fines £6,386 £681
LosT AND UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.
The activities of the Lost Property Office during 1949 are summarized hereunder :-Number of lost and unclaimed articles received 4,413 Number of articles returned to owners . . 2,442 Number of articles returned to finders 321 Amount of cash received .. £2,697 17s. 3d. Amount of cash returned to owners .. £1,925 5s. 1d. Amount of cash returned to finders £167 12s. Od. Proceeds from auction sales £603 14s. Od.
WHARF PATROL.
The strength of this patrol was increased during the year by the addition of an Inspectot' and three members of the Criminal Investigation Branch, and a patrol car to enable greater mobility was allotted for their use. The results achieved were highly successful as the details hereunder indicate. It will be noted that prosecutions launched were almost treble those for 1948, and the value of goods recovered in possession of offenders was more than six times greater than the previous year.
Item. 1949. ~ 1948.
Number of offences reported 1,784 + 1,096 Prosecutions launohed-
Pilferage .. 254 + 111 Harbour Trust- Regulations .. 888 + 677 Other offences 590 + 392
Value of goods reoovered-In possession £13,057 + £11,038 Abandoned £3,522 £1,095
31
VICE.
As it has been found that practically all offences in relation to prostitution and prohibited drugs are restricted to the city and metropolitan area of Melbourne, the activities of the Vice Squad were confined mainly to that area in the year under review.
The following statistics disclose that there are very few houses operating as brothels, and, whilst the number of women charged with prostitution is slightly lower than the last year's figure, :first offenders in this regard require to be treated as behaving indecently.
The nine persons prosecuted under the heading of " Drugs " were all Chinese in connexion with opium offences. In these cases a special warrant is required under. the Poisons Act which considerably delays police activities. Offences of traffic in cocaine are extremely hard to detect, due to distributors refusing to sell to other than a well-known and selected clientele.
Persons Involved. Offence. Cases. Convicted. Dismissed. Prison. Amount
of Fines. Males. Females.
£ Street prostitution . . 145 120 2 13 840 .. 61 Indecent behaviour . . 33 32 .. 2 115 27 6 Brothel keepers . . . . 3 2 1 . . 20 .. 3 Males living on prostitution 3 3 .. 1 15 3 . . Houses of habitual prosti-
tution .. . . . . 5 2 1 . . 15 . . .. Female vagrants . . . . 12 7 5 6 .. . . 12 Drugs . . . . .. 9 8 1 . . 100 9 . .
YouTH WELFARE.
It is pleasing to note that the activities of members of the Force in this sphere are being gradually extended in every district in association with Youth Clubs, Swimming Classes, Physical Training and Boxing Classes, Boy Scout Troops, School Committees, and radio talks.
From the appreciation expressed in many quarters it is obvious that this work is of inestimable value in stimulating an amicable relationship between modern youth and the Police, and in fostering a realization in the younger generation of their duties and responsibilities as future citizens. It is confidently felt that this voluntary participation by Police in youth welfare work contributes in no small measure to the decrease in juvenile delinquency.
32
CHAPTER 8.
GENERAL.
AMENI'l'IES.
The Recreation Hall at Police Headquarters continues to be well patronised, and during the year was used for 97 dances, several socials and film shows, 18 meetings and a number of hearings by the Police Classification Board.
At the conclusion of 1949 there were 373 suburban and 26 country subscribers to the Police Library, to which 506 new books had been added. To offset the higher purchase price of new books and other material used in the Library, it was found necessary to increase the membership fees, but by this means it should be possible to continue the excellent facilities provided. ·
During the year the billiards and recreation rooms were extensively used by the memberS of the Force, and, as in the past, police billiard teams took part in' amateur association competitions.
The mobile canteen service again proved very popular with the members of the Force attending race meetings, football and cricket matches, the Royal Agricultural Show, night trotting, processions, &c. In all, 115 functions were attended and 14,390 serves of refreshment were provided. The work of the AuX:iliary Policewomen in manning these Canteens is to be commended.
CHAJI;ITABLE APPEALS.
Members of the Force in all districts rendered valuable assistance at the many appeals for charitable purposes, most of which were in aid of local hospitals. This fine service ranged from cutting and delivering 100 tons of firewood for one hospital, to the am1ual Police Amateur Boxing and 'Wrestling Championships which resulted in £629 being distributed to charities. The services of the Police Brass and Highland Bands were again much sought after and availed of in the cause of charity. A total sum of £3,700 was raised with their assistance at 34 different appeals throughout the State during the year.
WoRK AT STATIONS.
Hereunder is a summary of the work performed at Stations for the whole State :-
Item.
Number of summouses-(a) Originated at Sta.tion (b) Served . . . ..
Number of warrants executed ~ Apprehension Commitment .. Distress Ejectment . . . .
Number of sudden deaths reported Number of Inquests dealt with .. Number of motor vehicles registered NUillber of labels affixed .. Number of drivers tested .. Number of road accidents attended to Number of files through Minute Book . . . . . . _ .. Number of money, &c., escorts provided (excluding escorts of prisoners) Total time iJ.lvolved-hours . . . . . . . . . . Number of sporting fixtures, shows, &c., at which one or more Police
were detailed for duty .. Total time involved-hours . . . .
Number of Agricultural statistics collected .. Number of Factory statistics forms delivered
1949.
32,549 144,239
472 8,164
46,578 1,035 2,726 1,952
68,688 410,934
56,476 18,782
798,632 11,227 35,818
8,206 74,028 74,402 22,024
..!. 1948.
+ 2,591 + 20,669
25 + 14 + 6,738
60
130 + 17,823 + 53,377 + 8,552 + 1,979 + 103,082
1,954 1,361
+ 221 788
APPRECIATION.
In conclusion, I desire to express my appreciation to members of the Force and the Public Service Staff for their attention to duty and loyal service throughout the year. A tribute must also be paid to the co-operation received by the Department from the Press and Broadcasting Stations.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
ALEX. M. DUNCAN,
Chief Commissioner of Police.
By Authority: J. J. GoUBLEY, Government Printer, Melbourne.
