NCJ Number
81714
Date Published
1978
Length
23 pages
Annotation
The annual report highlights statistics and activities of the New Zealand police for the year ended March 31, 1978.
Abstract
Activities are briefly described for the following police agencies or units: armed offender squads, National Drug Intelligence Bureau, antiterrorist squad airport police, and hostage negotiation teams. Other operations and concerns discussed include staff, changes in command, management, buildings and land, patrol cars, telecommunications, special operations, police dogs, search and rescue, training, community relations, youth aid, and crime prevention. A total of 255,663 crimes were reported to the police for calendar year 1977, a 12,315 increase over the previous year. This is a 5.1 percent increase compared to a 4.15 percent increase in 1976. The clearance rate was 45.8 percent, compared with 49.7 percent for 1976. During the year, 13,499 offenses reported in previous years were cleared, giving a gross clearance rate of 51 percent. The effective strength of the police rose by 234, bringing the total to 4,700 as of March 31, 1978. Growing violence and disorder in the streets and hotels, particularly in Auckland, were until recently causing public concern. Because conventional patrols were becoming inadequate, the concept of team policing was developed and implemented. These units of highly trained young constables have restored police initiative and control. Wellington's new operations room functions with the aid of a computer which facilitates the dispatch of vehicles to incidents according to established priorities. Hamilton also has a modern operations room, and Auckland, Rotorua, and Palmerson North will soon be similarly served. Tabular data are provided for calendar year 1977 crimes and clearance.