Appendix K.
REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
FOR THE YEAR 1937.
GENERAL.
1. The year 1937 was an exceptionally heavy one for the Police Force. In the early part of the year the Colony received several distinguished visitors in whose interest additional precautionary measures were taken. The Coronation festivities entailed much extra work on nearly all ranks, but the ready co-operation of the public lightened the task of Police.
2. On July the 7th the Sino-Japanese conflict broke out, bringing many complications. Police concentrated on efforts to prevent any untoward incidents between local residents. They received ready co-operation from Chinese and Japanese residents alike. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the restraint and tact displayed by both communities. The Police Reserve performed voluntary duty at night during November and December in order to release a number of Regular Police for special duties. It is satisfactory to record that only a few very minor incidents occurred.
3. The disastrous typhoon of September 1st and the Cholera Epidemic are dealt with under separate headings.
4. In 1936 there was a serious increase in larceny. This increase has persisted, though in a less degree, during 1937. There were 12,434 serious crimes in 1937, as against 9,038 in 1936, an increase of 37 per cent. (See paras. 58 and 59.) With only a nominal increase in the strength of the Force, the percentage of arrests and convictions was fully maintained in the increased total. There were 150 convictions at Sessions as against 114 in 1936. The prisons continued to be overcrowded.
5. A record amount of Revenue was collected by the Department ($945,357).
6. An analysis of traffic accidents is set out in Table VIII. Most accidents arise from want of caution while pedestrians walk or run across streets.
7. Ten more Chinese probationary Sub-Inspectors were recruited during the year. There have been some casualties among the ten recruited in 1936. Despite early difficulties I believe these officers will be a success as they come to realise more fully the necessity of strict integrity and development of self reliance.