1970

VICTORIA

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

POLICE DEPARTMENT VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

FOR THE YEAR 1969

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT BY HIS EXCELLE~CY'S COlfMAND

(Cost of Report :-Preparation-Not given. Printing (260 copies), $1,415.00]

By Authority;

C. H. RIXON, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE.

No. 8.·-5590 /70.-Price 40 cents.

Mr. Noel Wilby, Chief Commissioner of Police, J.P.

General Review

Administration­

Organization Charts

Establishment

Public Service

Finance

Public Relations

Criminal Investigation Branch ..

Criminal Statistics

Young Offenders

Missing Persons

Legislation

Traffic­

Deaths

Accidents

Offences

Breath Analysis

Communications

Training

Crime Prevention School

Crime Prevention

Buildings-Property

Index

CONTENTS

Page

V

3

4

7

9

10

11

12

18

20

21

22

25

26

27

30

30

33

34

36

40

41

The Honorable the Chief Secretary.

Sir,

Police Headquarters, Melbourne.

13th August, 1970

I have the honour to present the Annual Report of the Victoria Police Force for the year ended 31st December, 1969.

GENERAL REVIEW This report gives an overall appreciation of the Force's achievements and

progress for the year in which I assumed office as Chief Commissioner. On the 1st February, 1969, Mr. R. H. Arnold, C.B.E., Q.P.M., retired after a distinguished career of over 44 years' service. The Force has much to be grateful for what may be described as an outstanding record of police service by one of its most dedicated members.

The year under review covers the final month of Mr. Arnold's service and my first eleven months as Chief Commissioner. It was a year in which an attempt was made to restructure the Force and to bring about organizational changes to meet the needs for a more streamlined and modern Force. In a community such as Victoria where population increases are being maintained, in an age of increasing social tension, increased crime and increasing public sensitivity to both, it is essential that the Force develop to the full modem scientific methods of policing.

This was attempted during 1969. Much, I feel, was achieved although much more remains to be done. The whole of the various sections, branches and units of the Force was subjected to a close scrutiny of cost-effectiveness. The study revealed several areas whereby it was thought greater efficiency in police service could be achieved-to increase their striking power in prevention and detection of crime, to enable them to come to grips with its most threatening forms, but above all, to combine efficiency with economy of effort. For example, steps were taken to decentralize the Wireless Patrol by regrouping its activities into five units, each operating in the metropolitan police districts and under the more appropriate name of Crime Car Squads.

Greater administrative and operational responsibility was given to Super­intendents in charge of districts by ado ting a policy of autonomy so far as their control was concerned. The S Patrol was disbanded as an ancilliary unit of the Criminal Investigation ranch and existing members appointed as detectives.

The promotional system was reviewed. Additional higher appointments were made including two Superintendents for the purpose of performing relieving duties in the metropolitan and country districts. A Crime Prevention unit was established. A special committee was set up for the purposes of designing an entirely new style policewoman's uniform and produced a design which it is believed will be attractive, feminine and functional. It met with warm approval when introduced at the latter half of the year. To stimulate interest in the Police Force as a career and to synchronize existing recruiting policies a Career's Adviser was appointed.

High on the list of priorities in the law enforcement fields this year were armed hold-ups, drug abuse, and thefts of non-ferrous metals. Closer liaison between banks and T.A.B. agencies coupled with greater police vigilance led to a significant decrease in the first of these. The strength of the Drug Bureau was increased and a public education programme on the abuse of drugs was commenced. The entry of the Commonwealth into this field is welcomed and it is expected that the Central Crime Intelligence Bureau will play a major role in this field in the future.

Generally, as the following pages of the report will disclose, considerable progress was made in building up the Force to cope with the challenges of the 70's.

Challenges certainly lie ahead for the Force in the years ahead. The greater use of drugs by young people, the rising road toll, an increasing crime rate and the trend towards increased violence in the community are but a few of the problems police must tackle with increased vigour in the future. The Force has to face up to an enormously increased volume of offences, both serious and petty, at a time of over-employment in the community when securing a sufficient flow of recruits poses a particular problem all of its own.

V

vi The lack of manpower emphasizes the need for applying scientific and technological knowhow as a means of improving efficiency. Preliminary investigation has been made into a new area of promise--computer technology. A computer integrated into a modem information system will greatly assist in the speedy recording and disseminating of information. It can provide a ready identification of wanted persons, a swift check on stolen cars, provide a scientific basis for studies of the better deployment of personnel, analyse crime patterns and permit research into police problems that were formerly impossible.

Considerable pioneering work has already been carried out and a framework for the proposed computer system devised. Victoria is the first of the States to make a start with the development of a computer system purely designed to meet police needs.

However, developing a more modern and more efficient police force may not be enough these days. In one very real sense, the proper discharge of the police function is quite impossible without the interest and support of the public. It is true that the Victoria Police Force, like all police forces in the western world today, finds that it cannot preserve the public peace or effectively control crime without a greater public participation in law enforcement. The degree to which the Force achieves its objects must rest primarily on its ability to obtain the interest, support and understanding of the public at large. This is the main path along which the police effort must be concentrated in the future.

1

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MAP OF

VICTORIA

' '

SHOWING POLICE DISTRICTS -·­D!STRilT BOUNDARI f\ H(ADOUAR TERI

DIVISIONAL HEADOUAWRS SHOWN

ST ATIO~~S SHOWN

• •

!>.)

........ ........

'

ADMINISTRATION The Chief Commissioner is the

permanent bead of the Force and is appointed by, and responsible to the Governor in Council for the proper administration and conduct of the Force. The Governor in Council has power to make regulations and orders in respect of all matters pertaining to the efficient operation of the Force. The Governor in Council acts on the recommendation of the Chief Secre­tary, who is the Minister of the Crown responsible for the Police Force.

Attached to the Chief Commis­sioner's Office, for the purpose of advising him and other members of the Department, are the Police Sur­geon, Scientific and Technical Officers of the Forensic Science Section and the Police Legal Adviser, who is a solicitor seconded from the Crown Law Department.

PUBLIC SERVICE

The Police Branch of the Chief Secretary's Department provides administrative services for the Police Force and for the Motor Registration Branch. The administration of the Branch is integrated with the adminis­tration of the Victoria Police Force through the Secretary, Chief Commis­sioner's Office, who is the Public Service head of the Branch and, as such, responsible to the Under Secre­tary, the Permanent Head of the Chief Secretary's Department.

There are 1,564 members of the Public Service employed in the follow­ing Branches of the Chief Commis­sioner's Office:-

Personnel Branch-records, promo­tions, transfers, sick leave, police pensions, &c.

Correspondence Branch Police correspondence, including that of the International Criminal Police Organi­zation, of which Melbourne is the Australian Headquarters.

Accounts Branch.

Pay Branch.

Buildings Branch-leasing, pur­chasing, erection and furnishing of police buildings.

Supply Branch.

Motor Registration Branch-Motor registration and licensing of drivers.

DISTRICTS AND DIVISIONS

The State is divided into 19 geo­graphical Districts (7 metropolitan and 12 country), each controlled by a Superintendent. Each District is divided into two, three or four Divi­sions, each controlled by an Inspector. Each Division is further divided into Sub-Districts. Attached to the Mel­bourne District is a Special Duties division which contains the Licensing and Gaming Squads. These Squads work mainly in the city, but may be sent to any part of the State as required.

In addition there are four special administrative Districts based in Mel­bourne, namely the Criminal Investiga­tion Branch, Information Bureau, Traffic Control District and the Police Depot District.

3

ADVISORY GROUP Legal, Medical, Scientific

CfUEF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER

I I

SECRETARY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT Public Service :Statt

,-·-··-·-- ---- --·· ~ l ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER . ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER

Cnme ----,..-

SUPERINTENDENT C.I. Branch -

I

General ~..... ~ - -

Traffic and Technical

Personnel and Crime Prevention Public Relations

Officer Officer

SUPERINTEND ENT POLICE DISTRICTS SUPERINTENDENT SUPERINTENDENT "M" District .. X" District

I "T" District

METROPOLITAN COUNTRY Superintendents

(District H.Q. Stations)

"A" Melbourne "B" Bourke "H" Henty "P" Flinders

L "Q" Yarra

Russell St. Flemington

-Malvern - Dandenoug

Heidelberg

"C" Central Highlands Ballarat "D" Gippsland - Morwell "E" Mallee - Swan Hill "F" Upper Goulburn -- Benalla "G" Loddon Bendigo "J" Barwon - Geelong

S~perintendents

(District H.Q. Stations)

"K" Corangamite Warrnambool "L" Wimmera - Horsham "N" East Gippsland - Bairnsdale "R" Glenelg - }-lamilton "S" Goulburn Shepparton "W" Upper Murray - Wangaratta

.j:>..

ASSIST ANT COMMISSIONER CRIME

SUPERINfENDENT SUPERINTENDENT Criminal Investigatwn Hranch

Intelligence Bureau

E

I Divisional

)etective Inspector

Homicide Squad Extortion Squad

Divisional letective Inspector

r-- Arson Squad r- Crown Law r- Company Squad r-- Dealer Squad

Livestock Squad

Divisional Detective Inspector

r-- Breaking Squad r- Consorting Squad r- Drug Bureau

Chief Inspector Administrative Detective Inspector

D' ·'· l lVlSlOna Detective Inspector

r- Russell Street r- Bourke Street West r- Carlton r- North Melbourne r- Victoria Dock r- Railways ~ T.A.A.

Suburban Divisional

Detective Inspectors

r- Dandenong r- Flemington r- Malvern r- Northcote

Richmond

r-- Stolen Motor Vehicle Squad FORENSIC SCIENCE ~Vice Squad

1- Ballis - Biolo gl

Field Investigation Fibres Documents

- Photography - Breathalyser - Drug Identification

I Country Divisions

r- Ballarat r- Benalla -- Bairnsdale ... Bendigo , Colac r- Echuca , Geelong r- Hamilton r- Kyneton r- Mildura , Morwell r- Sale -- Seymour r Shepparton r- Swan Hill r- Wangaratta r- Warragul '-· Wodonga

Special Branch

Detective Tr::~ir

.. X" Ulstnct - Information Bureau

I Chief Inspector No. I Division

InspJctor Superintendent' Commumca tlons Office

s

-r ...- D.24 Children's Court r- Press Liaison Prosecution Secti on '-- Missing Persons

Inspector Inspector Fingerprint No. 2 Division

Record Section

Victoria bock anc r- Records d r- Fingerprints Wharf Patrol r- Property Tracing r- Gazette and Daily Inspector r- Circular No. 3 Division r- Modus Operandi I '- Statistics Crime Car Squa d

Station Officer I

Search and Rescu e Squad Women Police

untry

mg School

'JI

Research & Planning

Advisory

ASSIST ANT COMMISSIONER TRAFFIC AND TECHNICAL

I CHIEF TECHNICAL SUPERINTENDENT "T" DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT ''M" DISTRICT

OFFICER I Breath Analysis Section

HEADQUARTERS OFFICER IN CHARGE MOBILE1

TRAFFIC TRAIN;NG DIY OFFICERS DEPOT biVISION

Technical Section

Building Maintenance

Radio Maintenance

Drawing Office

Buildings - Branch

Supply Branch

I TRANSPORT BRANCH SECTION I COLLEGE I Chief I ("'Airlie")

Inspector Officer m Officer in I 1 Motor Driving Charge Charge

Inspector ~ Sd10ol 1 I . Director of .---------''L--------. Sub-Charge - Cadets Studies

District Oerks

Maintenance and Security

Accidents Records

Police Accidents

Statistics & Map Room

Central Registration and Licence Testing Stations

I . ""- .· rrosecutwns Tesuug Station Supervisors

Officer

I Brief Room

,_ ~~:;tsport

Mobile Canteen

,_ Workshops

Vehicle L

-Safety School

CITY TRAFFIC POLICE

OjC City Traffic

I Sub-Charge

I f -- -- ....

Traffic Traffic Police School

No. 1 Area Western

No: 2 Area Eastern

,_. No. 3 Area Southern

Motor Boat Squad

Accident Appreciation Squad

Highway and Training

Brief and Summons

Country M.T.S.

· Recruits

Sub Officer's Course

Officer in Charge

Depot Stations

Mounted Branch

Stud" Farm

Recruiting Office

Shrine Guard

Police Hospital

"'

4800

4700

4600

4500

4400

4300

42.00

41

AUTHORIZED AND ACTUAL STRENGTH, 1959-1969.

1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

c==J AUTHORIZED STRENGTH • ACTUAL STRENGTH

ESTABLISHMENT

POLICE FORCE ----- ··---·-·- ·---- ·-·-·- --····--·-------

Chief Commissioner Deputy Commissioner Assistant Commissioners .. Superintendents, Grade I. Superintendents, Grade Il. Chief Inspectors (including one Inspectors, Grade I. Inspectors, Grade 11. Station Officers Sergeants .. Sergeants (brevet) Senior Constables First Constables (foot) Constables (foot) First Constables (mounted) Constables (mounted) Policewomen

. . . . . . seconded to Traffic Commission)

Total actual strength

Total authorized strength ..

As at 31st December.

1969.

1 1 1 1 3 3

10 10 12 15 9 10

92 97 14 14 3 3

259 273 I J

797 831 2,150 2,111 1,252 1,239

29 23 12 16 67 74

4,712 4,722

4,781 4,781

RATIO OF POLICE (AUTHORIZED STRENGTH) TO POPULATION Estimated population of Victoria as at 30th September, 1969

Ratio of Police to population ..

. . 3,402,000

1 to 711

7

8

.RECRUITMENT AND WASTAGE, 1960-1969.

475

<ISO

4

400

37S

350

D RECRUITMENT

Recruits Re-appointments

• WASTAGE

APPOINTMENTS

RETIREMENTS, DISCHARGES, &c.

Chief Ass't Supts. Supts. Insps. Sergts. - Comm. Corn m. Grade I. Grade II. Grade I.

Died .. .. .. . . .. .. . . .. 3

Superannuated-Retiring Age .. .. 1 1 3 1 1 2

Ill-health .. .. .. .. . . .. . . .. . .

Resigned .. .. .. . . .. .. . . . . . . Discharged or Dismissed .. .. .. .. .. .. . .

Totals . . .. 1 1 3 1 I 5

As at 31st December.

1968. 1969.

31~ I

Senior Consts.

1

8

2

4

. . 15

272 4

First Consts.

and Consts.

6

28

16

174

4

228

I Police- Totals. women.

. . 10

.. 45

1 19

8 186

. . 4

9 264

POLICE CADETS

Strength Appointments to Police Force

POLICE RESERVE

Actual strength ..

PUBLIC SERVICE STAFF

Secretary Assistant Secretary Accountant Executive Officer

Chief Commissioner's Office.

Other Officers of the Administrative Division Clerical and Office Assistants-

Males Females

Other Assistants (Storemen Labourers &c )-Males .. .. .. ..

Actual Strength .. Authorized Strength ..

. . ..

.. ..

.. .. District Offices and Police Stations.

0 c

0

fficers of the Administrative Division .. lerical and Office Assistants-

Males .. . . . . .. Females .. .. . .

ther Assistants (Hospital Staff. Artisans, &c.)-Males .. . . .. .. Females .. .. .. ..

Actual Strength .. Authorized Strength ..

.. ..

.. . .

. . . .

.. ..

. . ..

.. ..

.. ..

. .

. .

. .

..

..

..

. . ..

. .

.. T he increase represents the balance of Civilian Driving Licence Testing

Officers appointed to release members of the Force for more active Police duty

Forensic Science Laboratory. irector eputy Director

D D s c

enior Chemist hemists

..

..

.. . . ..

.. .. ..

.. .. ..

.. .. . .

Actual Strength .. Authorized Strength

Motor Registration Branch.

fficer in Charge .. .. . . puty Officer in Charge .. ..

ssistant Officer in Charge .. .. 0 De A 0 c

ther Officers of the Administrative Division !erica! and Office Assistants-

Males .. .. .. .. Females .. .. .. ..

0 ther Assistants (Artisans, Labourers, &c.)-Males .. .. .. ..

Actual Strength .. Authorized Strength ..

In crease due to the appointment of a caretaker,

.. . . ..

. . .. . .

.. .. ..

. . .. . .

.. .. ..

.. .. ..

.. .. ..

.. .. ..

.. .. . .

.. .. ..

. . .. ..

.. . . ..

.. . . ..

.. .. ..

.. .. . . two watchmen, four

cleaners and machinist. Also three female clerical assistant positions were abolished.

{Actual Strength .. .. .. .. Totals

Authorized Strength .. .. . . ..

9

As at 31st December.

1968, 1969.

85 133 97 so

As at 31st December.

1968. 1969.

74 61

As at 31st December.

1968. 1969.

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

71 70

18 18 30 32

22 26

145 150

154 154

15 14

83 91 258 260

160 218 81 82

597 665

653 679

1 1 . . 3

5

5

1 1 1

126

263 277

10

689 679

726

1,499

1,533 1,564 '

10

Police Cadet and young spectator get together at Moomba.

FINANCE

Receipts-Police . . . . Motor Registration Branch

Expenditure-Salaries and allowances-

Police . . Public Service Staff

-

..

..

. .

.. School Teachers-Police Depot

Overtime payments . . . . . . Travelling expenses . . .. ..

.. ..

.. ..

.. . .

. . ..

. . ..

. . . .

.. ..

Financial Year.

1967-68. 1968-69.

. . 4,069,393 4,699,173

.. 50,759,292 58,226,025

54,828,685 62,925,198

.. 18,676,733 19,383,767

. . 3,240,153 3,572,337

.. 56,076 58,057

.. 304,113 285,413

.. 538,190 610,659 Office requisites and equipment, printing and stationery .. 203,996 235,995 Books and publications, other incidental expenses . . . . 201,249 226,907 Postal and telephone expenses . . . . . . . . 496,988 540,815 Motor vehicles- purchases and running expenses .. . . 790,080 984,796 Fuel, light, power and water .. . . 230,490 245,496 Personal equipment, uniforms, clothing and bedding . . . . 121,866 125,715 Radio, photographic and scientific equipment, &c. .. . . 58,376 69,243 Contributions to Central Fingerprint Bureau, Sydney and

International Criminal Pol.ice Organization .. . . 44,797 36,520 Miscellaneous . . . . .. .. . . . . 73,014 75,506

25,036,121 26,451 ,226

----·-------- ---- ----------- -----'-----

PR! VA TE CARS.

Nine hundred and eighty-three members of the Police Force were authorized to use their own cars in the execution of Police duty for which they were paid prescribed rates. The distance travelled by these cars on duty totalled 2,012,078 miles against 2,160,105 miles during 1968.

COST OF POLICE PROTECTION PER

HEAD OF POPULATION.

On an estimated population of 3,402,000 for Victoria, the cost of Police protection per head of popula­tion (calculated by deducting Police receipts from expenditure) is $6.39 per annum. This represents an in­crease of 11 cents on the figure quoted for 1968.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Prompt service was the keynote of Public Relations activities in 1969. All members of the Force responded well to this call ; although serious manpower shortages severely handi­capped their efforts in some instances. Rapid changes in community values in recent years has required of Police a greater understanding of the socio­logical factors involved in Police work. Tolerance has been pushed to the limit during some of the more violent demonstrations staged recently.

However, with a policy of equal law enforcement to all concerned, and increased training of personnel in the aspects of human relations we are approaching the problem in a more positive way. It is continually em­phasized that every policeman is a community relations officer.

The Public Relations Division supplemented the excellent work done by field officers with a sustained programme of lectures, exhibitions, film nights and conducted tours. All age groups were catered for.

A large and increasing volume of correspondence and telephone calls from the public was dealt with

Comparison of Nos. Visited.

promptly. Numerous requests for literature and general information from schools, businesses, industry and private citizens were supplied or appropriate referrals made.

It is difficult to gauge the state of public opinion of its Police service, at any given time, however, if the number of requests received for information, lectures, and literature is any indication, then the present relationship with the public is certainly a vigorous and interested one.

Stimulus to advertising in recent years has brought about a growth of public relations expertise, to the stage where a Diploma in Public Relations requires a 2-year full-time course of study.

At the moment the staff of our Public Relations Division is drawn entirely from Police personnel, who with some exceptions have little previous experience in this field.

If a more professional approach to this important aspect of Police work is desirable then consideration will need to be given in the future to training personnel, or alternatively retaining the services of professional consultants in this field.

Attendances. Summary of Activities.

1968. 1969. 1968. 1969.

936 697 Schools visited .. .. . . .. 177,735 128,485

5 1 Exhibitions .. .. .. .. 103,000 97,000

458 752 Outside lectures . . .. .. . . 39,272 54,577

7 7 Country film nights .. . . .. 1,630 1,752

4 3 Motorist educational hours .. .. 624 100

11 11 Visits. Lord Mayor's Camp, Portsea .. 3,000 3,321

10 10 Guest nights .. .. .. .. 3,926 2,848

21 16 Career nights . . .. .. . . . . .. Car mileage travelled .. .. .. 49,840 52,022

--~~-~~-~~·

5590/70-2.

11

12

Future drivers in train­ing at Val Star Traffic School, Morwell.

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BRANCH

Several changes were made in this Branch during the year. Over the years there has been an increasing tendency to appoint specialist branches to specialize in the investigation of certain offences. The autonomous nature of these branches reduces administrative problems to a minimum.

However, some problems do arise in a situation where an overlapping authority and divided control exists, as in the case of a Superintendent in Charge of a District who has oper­ational but not administrative control of his District.

Action has now been taken to bring about greater autonomy in Districts by placing detectives under the operational and administrative control of the Officer-in-Charge of the District in which they operate.

During the year it was decided to disband the Special Patrol. Established in 1941, under the control of the C.I.B., its members worked in plain­clothes and understudied their detec­tive counterparts. Their main object was prevention and detection of crime. However, experience has shown that their duties are more efficiently performed by fully trained Criminal Investigation Branch per­sonnel. Consequently, members of the Patrol are being progressively replaced by detectives.

Further improvements in efficiency have been achieved by co-ordinating the activities of the Arson and Live­stock Squads under the control of a Detective Sergeant.

A new Squad, known as the Metal Squad, has been formed on a tempo­rary basis, to combat the thefts of non-ferrous metals throughout the State. These offences are being committed mainly on government and

semi-governmental authorities. The increased number of these thefts is due to the sharp increase in value of such metals.

Theft of motor vehicles is still one of the State's most common crimes,

with 9, 710 vehicles reported stolen during 1969. The increase of 155 over the previous year is not great when considered with the substantial increase in the number of motor vehicles on the roads.

APPENDIX "A"

SUMMARY OF MOTOR VEHICLES STOLEN FOR YEARS 1967-1968-1969

-- 1967. 1968. I Motor vehicles (cars, trucks and cycles) reported stolen . . 8,727 9,555 Motor vehicles recovered . . .. . . . . 8,493 9,242 Motor vehicles outstanding . . .. . . 379 440 Percentage of vehicles recovered . . .. .. 97·54 96·72

1969.

9,710 9,354

507 96·33

13

Combining artistic ability, and identi-kit transparen­cies, Detective First Con­stable J . Rogers builds facial likenesses of sus­pects from complainant 's descriptions.

14

Opium pipes, syringes, marihuana, heroin, and amphetamines form part of haul seized by Drug Squad detectives in their drive against drug trafficking.

Illicit marihuana plants grown m a private vegetable garden dwarf a Drug Squad detective.

15

Grotesque mask, sawn­off shotguns, gloves and other weapons used by bandits in armed rob­beries.

16 Spearheaded by the Consorting Squad, increased police vigilance, plus closer liaison between banks and T.A.B. agencies, has led to a significant decrease in the incidence of armed holdups. The installation of alarm systems and cameras in many premises is believed also to be having a salutary effect.

APPENDIX "B,

SUMMARY OF OFFENCES OF ARMED HOLD-UPS AND ATTEMPTED HOLD-UPS

Offences Committed . . 82

Number of Arrests . . 83

Number of Crimes Cleared . . 37

78

99

43

1969.

73

49

37

The incidence of drug abuse con­tinues to increase, particularly in connection with marihuana and Amphetamines. One disturbing factor is the upward trend in the use of drugs by secondary school pupils.

To combat the unlawful use and traffic in drugs, the strength of the Drug Bureau has been increased and a Policewoman has been attached to the Bureau to enable more efficient under cover operations to be carried out.

As education of the public appears to be the best preventive measure, there has been an increase in the number of lectures on this subject by members of the Force to students and parents through social and religious groups.

The formation of a National Stand­ing Control Committee to consider immediate further steps to combat present drug problems is an important development.

Following suggestions by the State and Commonwealth Commissioners of Police, the Committee recommended an extension of the activities of the Central Crime Intelligence Bureau and the formation of a Working Party comprising Commonwealth and State officials to examine its overall opera­tions. The Working Party has since been meeting regnlarly and with the combined efforts of its members and officials from the various interested

authorities, the Bureau should become an active centre for the control of drugs throughout Australia.

APPENDIX " C "

SUMMARY OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE DRUG LAWS FOR

1969

Offences involving­

Drugs of Addiction

Restricted Substances

Hallucinogens

Total

190

183

7

380

The large quantity of goods being stolen from stores and shops is continuing to cause concern, parti­cularly where juveniles are involved. This offence has increased consider­ably during the year and the methods employed by retail firms in displaying their merchandise is believed to be a contributory factor.

Some retail stores persist in dealing direct with juveniles or their parents after offences have been committed. In so doing they deny Police the opportunity of examining the back­grounds of these offenders, and thus shielding them from process which could assist in their welfare in the context of community interests.

At the 1969 Conference of Com­missioners of Police for Australia and the South-West Pacific Region, it was said that the estimated amount stolen from retail stores throughout Australia was between $25 and $30 million annually, which, of course, must have some influence on the cost of the goods to the consumer. In discussing various ways to counter these offences, the opinion was expressed among the Commissioners that there was a grow­ing community tendency to regard stealing from shops as a trivial matter rather than a crime.

With this in mind, it was decided to seek as much publicity as possible to stress the seriousness of this offence and to encourage the use of the expression " shopstealing " to replace " shoplifting ".

Many such thefts are carried out by highly organized, experienced criminals operating both in this State and overseas.

Liaison between States is main­tained as to the identity and movements of these organized gangs. Courts now appear to be dealing with these offences more realistically and the harsher penalties being imposed may have the effect of deterring offenders.

The number of offences connected with livestock have, in most instances, decreased this year. An exception is the marked increase of calf thefts,

possibly brought about by high prices resulting from a shortage of beef cattle.

During the year a number of offences of obtaining cattle by false pretences were reported and this appears to be a new field of operations for the confidence trickster in Victoria, and one which will be closely watched.

Overall, results for the year have been satisfactory despite a steady population increase, heavy increase in motor vehicle registration and rapid industrial growth within the State.

17

Recent acquisition to the Forensic Science Labora­tory is the gas chromato­graph. Valued at $12,000 this electronic device will revolutionize chemical analysis procedures.

Major Crime Index.

Number of Offences.

Crime Reported Cleared. Males.

(Classification of Offence). or + Becoming -Known. By Other- Total. 16 and 17 and 19 and

Charge. wise. under. 18. 20. ---

1. HOMICIDE-

Murder .. .. .. 29 23 5 28 .. .. 2 44 + 15 38 4 42 2 1 3

Attempted Murder .. 21 17 .. 17 1 .. . . 17 + 4 17 .. 17 1 .. 2

Manslaughter .. .. 2 2 .. 2 .. . . 2 5 + 3 5 1 6 .. 1 1

TOTAL HOMICIDE •• .. 52 42 5 47 1 .. 4 66 + 14 60 5 65 3 2 6

I

I

2. SERious AssAULT . . .. 1,600 1,172 3 1,175 101 172 194 1,613 + 13 1,198 8 1,206 120 207 200

3. ROBBERY .. . . .. 480 159 .. 159 35 71 62 650 + 170 199 3 202 80 47 53

4. RAPE .. .. .. 168 130 .. 130 18 38 44 144 24 109 .. 109 7 22 18

I

Persom Involved in Offences Cleared.

Females.

21 and Total. 16 and 17 and 19 and over. under. 18. 20.

------------

22 24 .. .. .. 34 40 .. .. 1

16 17 .. .. .. 11 14 .. . . .. 2 4 .. .. .. 4 6 .. .. ..

40 45 .. .. .. 49 60 .. .. 1

797 1,264 3 4 1 883 1,410 1 2 5

143 311 . . 1 1 102 282 4 3 s

60 160 .. .. .. 62 109 .. .. ..

21 and Total. over. ------

4 4 7 8

2 2 3 3

1 1 .. . .

7 7 10 11

46 54 49 57

6 8 10 22

.. ..

.. ..

Persons.

---

28 48

19 17

5 6

52 71

1,318 1,467

319 304

160 109

-00

Major Crime /ndex.-continued.

Number of Offences. Persons Involved in Offences Cleared.

Crime Reponed Cleared. Males. Females.

(Classification of Offence). or + ·-- Persons. Becoming -Known. By Other· Total. 16 and 17 and 19 and 21 and Total. 16 and 17 and 19 and 21 and Total. Charge. wise. under. 18. 20. over* under. 18. 20. over.

5. BREAKING AND ENTERING-

Dwelling .. $0-$100 8,506 1,540 911 2,451 2,033 380 297 647 3,357 125 21 1 18 165 3,522 10,512 +2,006 2,186 1,003 3,189 2,723 767 472 670 4,632 74 6 12 5 97 4,729

Over .. $100 4,222 560 70 630 443 99 85 201 828 30 12 2 8 521 880 4,509 + 287 515 148 663 309 174 136 303 922 28 2 6 3 39 961

Shop .. .. $0-$100 4,888 1,114 321 1.435 881 356 310 616 2,163 8 1 1 4 14 2,177 4,759 - 129 990 277 1,267 1,001 271 208 516 1,996 14 2 3 5 24 2,020

Over .. $100 2.657 451 36 487 157 116 133 368 774 3 1 .. 3 7 781 2,425 - 232 416 23 439 151 122 101 375 749 .. 2 5 2 9 758

Office, Factory, Ware-377 I 1,376 house •• .. $0-$100 4,050 635 273 908 640 176 183 12 2 .. 2 16 1,392

4,525 + 475 810 1 235 1,045 1,061 241 146 1 377 1,825 8 3 .. 2 13 1,838 I I

Over .. $100 1,190 186 21 207 105 42 48 . 145 340 2 . . . . 2 342 1,321 + 131 133 14 147 61 54 16 114 245 .. .. . . 1 1 246

TOTAL BREAKING AND ENTERING .. .. 25,513 4,486 1,632 6,118 4,259 1.169 1,056 2,354 8,838 180 37 4 35 256 9,094

28,051 +2,538 5,050 1,700 6,750 5,306 1,629 1,079 8,355 10,369 124 15 26 18 183 10,552

6. MOTOR VEIDCLE THEFT .. 9,555 2,235 304 2,539 1,632 1.035 514 699 3,880 21 17 51 74 163 4,043 10,062 + 507 2,399 330 2,729 2,238 1,221 546 589 4,594 33 24 8 16 81 4,675

I I

I I 7. FRAUD, FORGERY, FALSE PRETENCES- I Valueless Cheques .. 1.295 815 43 858 15 17 32 709 . 773 8 3 2 120 133 906

1,946 + 651 1182 54 1,236 38 63 130 805 1,036 2 1 13 184 200 . 1,236

All Other .. .. 3,107 2,685 17 2,702 44 48 125 2,318 2,535 7 24 76 268 375 2,910 2,608 - 499 2,099 8 2,107 109 81 87 1,537 1,814 13 48 26 219 306 2,120

TOTAL FRAUD, &c. .. 4,402 3,500 60 3,560 59 65 157 3,027 3,3081 15 27 78 388 508 3,816 4,554 + 152 3,281 62 3,343 147 144 217 2,342 2,sso I 15 49 39 403 506 3,356

t --······-- --······- - - --····-

Fisures for 1968 are printed ia light type and those for 1969 are printed in bold type. -\0

20 YOUNG OFFENDERS Children's Court appearances for

the year numbered 6,345-an increase of 755 on the 1968 figures. The number of infants (i.e., children under 8 years old) who appeared on Protec­tion Applications numbered 545-an increase over the previous year of 242. Reasons for this are not clear nor can they be calculated from available statistics.

The policy of issuing personal warnings by Officers of Police con­tinued where cases merited this course of action. It is not known what

percentage of recidivism in comparison with those prosecuted occurred.

Preventive measures in the main were carried out by Public Relations personnel who visited 697 schools and spoke to 128,485 children in various aspects of good citizenship.

The new Crime Prevention Bureau will make a further significant con­tribution to this field when its programs are implemented.

There is a need for more research to be conducted in this field to enable the Department to make full use of its resources.

YOUNG OFFENDERS WHO APPEARED BEFORE THE COURTS

Offence. 1968. 1969.

Homicide . . . . Breaking, entering and stealing Larceny .. Illegally using motor cars

I 1 1 1,007 l,ll4 1,237 J ,236 1,158 1.205

719 661 907 Other indictable offences . . . . . . Summary offences (including protection applications)

.. I 490 402 479 2,489 2,254 2,516

---~--~---·- -----Totals ..

! 5,942 5,590 6,345

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

Bad company .. Lack of parental control . . . . . . Both bad company and lack of parental control Sexual Mischief .. Truancy .. Clinical .. Environment Unknown

Totals

1969.

481 1,387 1,642

103 481

82 70

888 1,211

6,345

CHILDREN AND INFANTS UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT YEARS WHO APPEARED BEFORE THE COURTS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE

CHILDREN'S WELFARE ACT

I

I Type of Application. Male. I

Female. Total. I _I ----·

Likely to lapse into a career of vice or crime . . .. 5 1 6

Exposed to moral danger .. . . . . .. 0 0 0

Parental neglect . . . . .. . . .. 112 145 257

Other grounds . . . . .. . . . . 125 157 282

Totals . . . . . . .. 242 303 545

CHILDREN WHO WERE WARNED BY AN OFFICER OF POLICE IN THE PRESENCE OF THEIR PARENTS

Offences

Assault and grievous bodily harm Robbery with violence Sex (Natural) .. Sex (Un-natural) .. Breakings Larceny .. Illegally using motor cars Other indictable offences Summary offences Protection applications

Missing Persons­Reported Located

Totals

MISSING PERSONS BUREAU

Missing Persons from Interstate and Overseas­Reported Located

Escapees from Mental Institutions­Reported Located

Absconders from Social Welfare Department­Reported Located

I Number of Children.

9 0 9 7

217 1,018

54 40

237 0

1,591

1968. 1969.

5,166 5,482 5,155 5,444

227 206 92 72

508 524 484 498

1,237 l.ll9 1,234 1,152

··------

21

22 LEGISLATION

New and amending legislation passed included :-

1. Lotteries, Gaming and Betting Act-No. 7752 Increased penalties for convictions for the offences of­

(i) Street betting, (ii) Using premises for betting, (iii) Publishing betting information.

2. Crimes (Evidence) Act 1968-No. 7782 (a) Allows for breath tests to be taken elsewhere when nearest Police

Station locked. (b) Certificate of authorized operation of Breath Analysing Instrument

prima facie evidence of contents.

3. Summary Otfences (Sunday Newspapers) Act 1969-No. 7786 Repealed prohibition on publication of Sunday newspapers.

4. Protection of Animals (Penalties) Act 1969-No. 7801 (a) Increased penalties for some cruelty offences. (b) Authorized R.S.P.C.A. officers empowered to lay informations under

the Act.

5. Lotteries, Gaming and Betting (Calcutta Sweepstakes) Act 1969-No. 7802 (a) Permits licensed clubs to conduct " Calcutta Sweep " lotteries. (b) Pin-ball machine defined. (c) "Jumbo" machines declared contrivances of gaming.

6. Listening Devices Act 1969-No. 7804 (a) Regulates use of listening devices by Police and others. (b) Creates offences for mis-use. (c) Requires written authority of Stipendiary Magistrate and an officer

of Police to operate.

7. Racing (Amendment) Act 1969-No. 7828 Permits 18-year-olds to bet with Totalizator and bookmakers on race courses

or at Totalizator Agency Board premises.

8. Motor Car (Amendment) Act 1969-No. 7839 (a) Allows registration fee concessions to incapacitated ex-servicemen.

(b) Increased mandatory penalty for second offence of driving with blood alcohol content exceeding . 05 per cent.

(c) Requires application to Stipendiary Magistrate for restoration of licence where disqualification as above.

9. Uquor Control (Amendment) Act 1968-No. 7753 (a) Defines "Refreshment Place" and "Cafe". (b) Permits liquor consumption for special occasions on certain unlicensed

premises. (c) Introduces "Works Licences".

TRAFFIC The increasing number of vehicles

on the road, (1,505,926 on the regis­tered list at the 31st December), is placing greater demands on members of the Force to control the flow of traffic and each year an increasing proportion of Police time is taken up with traffic work.

Despite the concentrated efforts of Police, road fatalities for 1969 were the highest on record.

Statistics show that speed, negligent driving and driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, have been contributing factors in many of the accidents.

In addition to the usual widely

publicized traffic enforcement drives,

a number of special efforts held during

1969 were not given any prior

publicity. These drives, held over

short periods, were successful in

detecting many drivers failing to

observe traffic laws, but they do not

appear to have had any appreciable

curbing effect on fatalities.

During the year the Government made the following relevant amend­ments to the traffic law:-

( a) Probationary drivers (of less than 12 months) not to exceed 50 m.p.h.

(b) " P " plates to be displayed on vehides used by such drivers.

(c) Breath Analysis Certificates to be " prima facie " evidence of their contents.

The last measure has had the immediate effect of releasing breath­alyzer operators from attending court on many occasions.

Further remedial legislation con­templated proposed to introduce a " points demerit " system of penalizing those who breach certain traffic laws.

Transfer of the Motor Registration Branch to 560 Lygon-street, Carlton, on 14th February, 1967, meant that registration of vehicles at the Exhibi­tion Police Station could not be fina~ized at the one location. The vehicles had to be presented at the Station for inspection, but registration documents could be issued only from

23

Headquarters of Mobile Traffic Section, Southern Division. This new build­ing at the Esplanade St. Kilda houses new white patrol cars easily identi­fied by police insignia prominently displayed on the doors.

24

Light and highly man­oeuvrable the 100 m.p.h. Kawasaki motor cycle now supersedes B.M.W.s previously in use.

the Branch. A similar position existed with applicants for drivers' licences who had to attend the Exhibition Station for testing purposes and obtain their licences from the Branch.

To overcome the inconvenience being caused and to increase general efficiency, successful efforts were made to obtain a suitable site for the Station nearer to the Branch.

All buildings on the site were replaced by modem offices connected to the Motor Registration Branch by an underground tube system ; at a total cost of approximately $292,000.

The Station is now known as the " Central Licence and Registration Office " and should meet requirements for many years.

During the year, a start was made to progressively change the colour of Police vehicles from blue to white. It is proposed that all cars on general duty will have the Police insignia and the word "Police" on both front doors to assist people to readily identify them as Police vehicles.

The change was decided upon mainly in the interests of safety, after tests with several vehicles showed that white could be more clearly seen at

night time, and white reflects the flashing blue roof light more effec­tively.

Another factor bearing on the colour change was that the Depart­ment lost on the trade-in value of powder blue cars, which were not popular. A considerable amount of money will be added to the change­over value of the Police fleet by the switch in colour.

Although every effort is being made to enforce traffic laws, special atten­tion is being directed to the education of the public, particularly children, in road safety. Many people attended lectures by Police who showed specially selected traffic films. Many letters from the public requesting in­formation on the road toll, traffic laws, were received and answered by the Public Relations Division.

Members of the Force visited approximately 700 schools during the year and lectured to some 130,000 children.

Until research can indicate new guidelines, the Department's dual role of law enforcement and accident prevention, can be expected to con­tinue.

25

PERSONS KILLED, 1960-1969.

1050 /036

/960 '61 '62 '63 '64 os '66 ol '68 '69

VEHICULAR ACCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES, 1960-1969.

1960 '61 '62 '63 '64 '65 '(j(j '67 '68 '69

D ACCIDENTS

• CASUALTIES - (KILLED & INJURED)

26 SUMMARY OF ACCIDENTS

Fatal Persons Injury Persons Non-injury Total Year. Accidents. Killed. Accidents. Injured. Accidents. Accidents.

City.

1969 .. 6 6 I

437 I 502 900 1,343 1968 .. 3 3 412 491 957 1,372

Metropolitan.

1969 .. 369 412 I 10,059 I 13,607 9,764 20,192 1968 .. 357 387 9,417 12,798 9,777 19,551

Country.

1969 .. 527 618

I 6,905

I 11,372 5,009 12,441

1968 .. 489 589 6,484 10,483 5,156 12,129

ACCIDENT TOTALS 7

Vehicular Persons Persons Accidents other Accidents Year. Accidents. Killed. •

Injured. than Vehicular. during Year .

1969 .. .. .. 33,976 1,036

I 25,481 943 34,919

1968 .. .. .. 33,052 979 23,772 815 33,867

In addition to the 1,036 persons killed in traffic accidents, records at this Office show that 254 persons died from other types of accidents-Drownings 63 ; Falls 48; Burning 20; Shooting 14; Tractors (private property) 13; Railway Accidents 15; Electrocution 11 ; Others 70.

Year. Population. Motor Vehicles. : Accidents. Casualties.

1966 .. .. . . 3,217,832 1,188,414 31,650 22,768

1967 .. .. .. 3,274,396 I 1,273,319 31,092 23,601

1968 .. . . . . 3,324,177 1,414,407 33,052 24,751

1969 .. .. . . 3,402,000 1,505,926 33,976 26,517

~

TRAFFIC CONTROL BRANCH GENERAL

Comparative figures in regard to work performed by the Traffic Control Branch for 1968 and 1969 are as follows:-

Accidents attended .. Accident reports dealt with Arrests Briefs handled ' D.24 ' calls attended ..

1968.

4,838 33,867

2,406 260,982

18,598

1969.

2,718 34,919

1,408 252,529

9,703 17,012 6,729

166,341 157,102 Motor vehicle-orders for repairs . . . . . . Traffic offences detected by members of the Traffic Control Branch

These figures include work done by units attached to Ararat ; Bairnsdale ; Ballarat ; Benalla ; Bendigo ; Chel­sea ; Colac ; Dandenong ; Geelong ; Hamilton ; Horsham ; Mildura ; Mor­well ; Sale ; Seymour ; Shepparton ; Swan Hill; Warrnambool; Wanga­ratta ; W arragul and W odonga.

These units with the exception of Chelsea and Dandenong came under the control of local Superintendents as from 1st December, 1969, but their figures are included in this return.

A total number of 100 persons were invited to attend the " Motorists Educational Hours " from this District.

During the year 494 applicants for Motor Driving Instructors Licences were tested on both the standard of their driving and ability to teach persons learning to drive; 143 passed -351 failed.

The Accident Appreciation Squad investigated a total of 187 vehicular accidents during the year, involving 172 deaths, compared to a total of 215 vehicular accidents during 1968 involving 165 deaths.

Arising from these investigations, the following serious charges were laid :-

Manslaughter Grievous bodily injury Driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor Driving in a manner dangerous Driving at a speed dangerous Exceed ·05% Miscellaneous Culpable driving

1968. 1969.

19 7

16 30 3

20 319

15

16 8

13 33

Nil 18

290 15

A total of 28,881 written applications were received from Solicitors, Insurance Companies, Loss Assessors, &c., requesting information regarding traffic accidents at this Office. This was supplied and resulted in the sum of $127,994.75 being received against the sum of $119,024.50 for the year ending 1968, being an increase of 1,560 enquiries causing an increase of revenue of $8,970.25.

TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Three hundred and thirty-two thousand, three hundred and fourteen Traffic Offences were detected during 1969, and these represent an increase of 3,160 on the figures for 1968.

The more serious or prevalent offences were as follows:-

Offence.

Driving against automatic signal

Driving against constable's hand signal

Disobeying traffic sign

Driving over double lines

Driving under influence of liquor or drugs

Driving with blood-alcohol content in excess of ·05%

Drunk in charge of motor vehicle ..

Driving carelessly

Driving in a manner dangerous

Driving at a speed dangerous

Exceeding the prescribed limit in a 35 m.p.h. zone

Exceeding the prescribed limit in a zone other than a 35 m.p.h. zone

Exceeding 50 m.p.h. in a de-restricted area

Driving during suspension, disqualification or cancellation of licence

Driving without a licence

Driving unregistered vehicle

Driving a motor vehicle not covered by third party insurance

Driving without headlamps and /or lamps lit, etc.

Failing to indicate intentions to stop, turn or diverge right

Failing to stop after accident, etc.

Failing to give way to vehicle on the right ..

Failing to keep to the left of carriageway

Incorrect right turn

Offences in connexion with pedestrian crossing, etc.

Number plates obscured, damaged or defaced

No silencer and /or creating undue noise

Driving without safety chains fitted to trailer

Parking offences

5590/70.-3

1968.

8,588

279

6,763

3,265

1,613

4,699

74

6,599

2,330

361

52,297

12,272

875

589

5,841

3,679

2,373

6,176

5,569

3,732

6,346

2,559

1,113

1,670

3,701

2,492

496

48,162

1969.

8,639

294

6,829

2,806

1,719

5,616

101

7,566

1,947

333

48,646

14,094

2,241

766

6,152

3,697

2,014

4,719

4,638

4,031

7,469

2,632

1,148

1,033

3,822

2,447

318

46,273

27

28 Road Traffic Infringement Notices Issued

Number Issued. lS<~turc of Infringement.

1968. 1969.

I. Driving over double lines . . . . . . . . 2,410 2,180 2. Failing to give way at intersection . . . . . . 2,628 2,477 3. Disobeying any traffic control signal . . "'. . . 4. Exceeding any speed limit by more than 10 miles an hour but

9,318 9,542

less than 15 miles an hour . . . . . . 8,635 17,574 5. Use on highway motor car or trailer not in good mechanical

order or not in safe or thoroughly serviceable condition 492 888 6. Exceeding any speed limit by not more than 10 miles an hour 29,738 28,228 7. Failing to keep to the left . . . . . . . . 879 950 8. Failing to dip headlights . . . . . . . . 329 319 9. Failing to give signals . . . . . . . . 2,810 2,936

10. Unlawfully turning to right or left . . . . . . 782 812 11. Disobeying traffic sign . . . . . . . . . . 11,580 10,627 12. Failing to have prescribed lights . . . . 5,343 5,139 13. No number plate, obscured number plate or number not

easily distinguishable . . . . . . . . 3,358 4,169 14. Having no rear vision mirror or having ineffective rear vision

mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,017 2,389 15. Passing stationary tramcar . . . . . . . . 22 53 16. Throw down or drop litter from motor car on highway .. 67 209

Totals .. 79,408 88,492

$ s Revenue 904,832.49 1.117,051.70

The number of infringements for which prescribed penalty was paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69,877 81,106

The number of infringements for which prescribed penalty was not paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,531 7,386

The Motor Boating Squad consist­ing of fourteen members, detected 1,477 offences, visited 135 country centres and performed 118 search and rescue operations during the year.

The Motor Cycle Training School comprising four permanent Instructors had a successful year in that all students passed with the exception of one.

Motor Cycle Course-New Students: 48; and

Motor Car Course-New Students: 41.

The total miles travelled by both Instructors and Students totalled 9,600 miles.

The work performed hy six mem­bers of the Mobile Traffic Section seconded to the Country Roads Board included two members principally engaged in the collection of unpaid fines.

During the year, 2,454 cases for various offences were finalized, of which 2,425 were successfully pro­secuted, resulting in fines amounting to $88,891.00.

BULK REGISTRATION

Bulk registration of 44,216 motor cars, trailers and heavy vehicles were carried out at the premises of vehicle distributors by three members, which resulted in much saving of time and congestion at the Exhibition Station.

Motor Vehicles inspected for regis­tration purposes at the Exhibition Police Station during 1969, totalled 31,674 compared with 30,142 in 1968. During 1969, 755 trailers were also inspected for registration, in comparison with 1,484 for 1968.

Fisherman's Bend Police Station inspected for registration a total of 7,594 motor vehicles and 45 8 trailers during 1969, m comparison with 5,397 and 630 respectively.

During the year 1969, a total number of 24,068 persons were tested for motor drivers' licences at the Exhibition and Fisherman's Bend Stations, compared with 21,619 in 1968.

MOBILE TRAFFIC SECTION

1968. 1969.

Personnel (Including 71 members in country areas). 319 330 Number engaged on road traffic duty . . . . 269 330 Number of vehicles in use :-

Motor cars 109 llO Motor cycles 101 101

Motor vehicles checked 117,795 132,494 Traffic offences detected 146,351 136,592t Traffic offences detected per man on road 538 437 Amphometer bookings . . . . 20,471 13,238t Traffic infringement notices .. 49,626 59,601 Parking infringement notices 14,710 15,565 Prosecutions .. 80,844 70,334 Mileage travelled 3,734,276 3,837,878 Days on duty per man

On road 223 230 Hours on duty :-

At court 80 83

Escorts:-Wide loads 1,381 1,942 Men involved 1,741 2,042 Hours 7,177 10,092

V.I.P. Escorts :- 95 112 Men involved 437 509 Hours .. 2,185 2,545

These figures include work performed by members of the Mobile Traffic Section who were stationed at Ararat, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Benalla, Bendigo, Chelsea, Colac, Dandenong, Geelong, Hamilton, Horsham, Mildura, Morwell, Sale, Seymour, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Wangaratta, Warragul, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

These country personnel from 1st December, 1969, came under control of Country District Superintendents but their figures are included in this return.

t Tbe disparity in amphometer bookings was due to the machines not being used for two months because of legal technicalities.

POLICE TRANSPORT

Police vehicles.

Motor vehicles excluding motor cycles Motor cycles Bicycles . . . . . . . . Miles travelled by all motor vehicles .. Gallons of petrol used by all motor vehicles .. Running and maintenance costs for all Police vehicles ..

1968.

611 102 268

15,259,529 801,548

$548,003

1969.

682 102 207

16,886,126 911,113

$644,258

CENTRAL PROSECUTION OFFICE-STAMP DUTY /TRANSFER SECTION

The Stamp Duty /Transfer Section received from the Motor Registration Branch 15,074 files for inquiry by Police into breaches of Section 21B of the Motor Car Act-Failing to forward Transfer Fee, Stamp Duty and Notice of Acquisition to the Chief Commissioner of Police.

As a result of investigation-

Total number of briefs received Total number of briefs not authorized Total number of briefs prosecuted successfully Total number of briefs dismissed by courts

1968.

2,436 49

2,371 16

1969.

1,199 165

1,021 l3

Fines collected during 1969 totalled $15,340.00 with approximately 250 cases pending-Approximately $126,400.00 has been collected as transfer fees, stamp duty and penalty payments as a direct result of files having passed through this section during this year.

5590/70.-4

29

30 BREATH ANALYSIS SECTION

Apart from its normal duties this Section provided lectures and demon­strations to 60 private citizen groups. Lectures were well received and it is hoped that this will eventually lead to a greater acceptance to the use of the breathalyzer and a better understand­ing of this aspect of Police work.

The Section operated on a 24-hour basis from the North Carlton Police Station with a staff of nineteen men under the control of Superintendent

" T " District. Trained country mem­bers also operate on a part-time basis.

The Department now has sixty breathalyzers. Thirty-six are on issue to country districts, nine are held at the Forensic Science Laboratory, whilst this Section retains fifteen for its own use.

Some of the difficulties inherent in policing relevant legislation have now been clarified by legislative amend­ment and Supreme Court decisions. (See Index under "Legislation ".)

COMPARISON OF WORK PERFORMANCE FOR YEARS 1968 AND 1969

Number Number Year. Interviewed. Tested.

1969 .. .. .. 3,850 3,474

1968 .. . . .. 4.163 3,842

COMMUNICATIONS This Branch experienced an increase

in the volume of messages received and transmitted, with one exception­messages regarding road fatalities received on emergency 000 lines.

Significant developments included additions to the Police Fleet of radio­equipped vehicles, and completion of the renumbering of call signs for the metropolitan fleet.

A co-ordinated plan of research and field testing resulted in the selection of " The Paps " site near Mansfield as a radio control centre for the area with direct contact to D.24, Mel-

Number I

Charged i

Charged i Not Exceed Refused. D.U.l. ·05% Charged.

376 721 2,528 225

321 862 2,764 216

bourne. Westemport Bay and West Gippsland was also surveyed and Upwey selected as control centre for these areas. A transmitter is now installed and operating there. This installation plugs a gap in communi­cations blank spots which previously existed around Westernport and Hastings districts. Benefits will accrue to fire control regions operating in the Dandenong Ranges.

Highlight of the year was the excellent results achieved with public co-operation through the 000 emer­gency free line.

GENERAL STATISTICS

COMMUNICATIONS

Calls to Police Units . . . . . . Broadcasts to Police Stations and Mobile Units Calls received through free telephone number 000 Radio and Telex messages received and despatched Radio log messages

Result of calls to Police Units

Area - Cars.

Arrests ... .. . . .. 437 Stolen cars recovered .. .. 277 Accidents attended .. .. 41 Suspects questioned .. .. 16,799

Section Cars.

488 153

1,827 23,049

1968. I 1969.

87,844 89,652 8,806 8,261

20,314 14,641 22,861 24,880

764,160 730,336

Divisional Police Totals. Cars. Stations.

9,901 2,398 13,224 1,580 278 2,288 5,975 1,537 9,380

30,017 .. 69,865

Analysis of calls through 000 (free line)

Arrests made Accidents attended .. False calls Miscellaneous

Totals ..

Radio and Telex Messages

1968.

1,186 3,241

290 15,597

20,314

1969.

1,308 114 304

12,958

14,684

---·····-·------··------------------------

Adelaide .. .. Sydney . . . . Brisbane . . .. Hobart . . .. Perth . . .. Darwin .. '' Canberra .. .. Compol .. .. Overseas . ' ..

Totals

MOTOR REGISTRATION BRANCH

.. . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. ' ..

.. ..

. . .. . . . . . . . .

.. ..

The steady increase in numbers of vehicles registered, drivers licensed and revenue collected was maintained during 1969, and, for the first time, the total of registered vehicles exceeded 1 ,500,000. Licensed drivers increased to more than 1,468,000 and revenue handled was in excess of $92,161,000.

During the year, the benefits de­rived from the survey of organization and methods and clerical work measurement carried out by officers of the Branch and Public Service Board in co-operation with a private firm of business consultants, became very evident. Wherever possible, pro­cedures were streamlined, up to date equipment installed and forms re­designed for simplification with the result that many more transactions were processed in 1969 than in 1968 with no increase in staff and a reduction of almost 40 per cent. in the amount of overtime worked. The more important equipment acquired included a Multilith Offset Duplicator, a Director Cheque endorser and an Electrostatic Book Copying Machine. The value of a cheque endorser alone

Sent. Received. Totals.

.. 2.159 2,284 4,443 .. 4,254 4,300 8,554

.. 2,083 2,034 4,117

.. 1,119 976 2,095

.. 1,423 1.261 2,684

. ' 664 267 931 .. 610 329 939 .. 109 100 209

.. 442 386 828

.. 12,863 11,937 24,800

can be gauged when it is realized that more than 30,000 cheques are banked each week.

Considerable progress has been made in feasability studies for the transfer of registration and licence records to computer operation. It is expected that the conversion of drivers' licence details to a computer will begin in 1970. This will be a mammoth task, but once completed, the advantages will be manifest. Up­dated records will be readily acces­sible and important statistics hitherto unavailable, will be maintained.

A full-time training officer has been appointed and it will now be pos­sible to conduct more comprehensive training programmes for new appoin­tees and staff generally. A disturbing feature has been the large turnover in staff. During the year there were 194 new appointments and 207 resignations, many of these being trained and experienced staff. The more common reasons given for resigning were employment with better pay or more convenient to home.

New legislation introduced in 1969 did not affect the operations of the Branch to' any marked degree but a reprint and consolidation of the Motor Car Act was most welcome.

Comparative figures for the years 1968 and 1969 are set out in the tables hereunder. Motor Registration Statistics. Vehicles registered as at-

Motor cars­Private Commercial and hire Primary producer Motor cycles Trailers Traction engines

Totals

31.12.68 31.12.69

1,049,007 1,106,537 131,755 134,857 85,368 86,738 15,400 17,978

132,877 159,816

1,414,407 1,505,926

31

32 New Registrations-(New and second-hand vehicles included in above figures).

Motor cars Motor cycles ..

Totals

Drivers' licences issued

Revenue-Excluding third party insurance

Third party insurance

MOUNTED BRANCH Despite the advance of technology,

machinery has not yet superseded the troop-horse. Valuable benefits from a public relations viewpoint were derived from inviting schools, churches, scout groups and others to the Police Depot to watch the troopers training their mounts for the Royal Agricultural Show "Musical Ride".

The sight of a troop-horse was also welcomed by foot Police at demonstrations, football matches, race­courses and other venues, where crowd control was required.

School and pedestrian crossings, (particularly the Blind Institute cros­sing in St. Kilda-road) have been regularly policed throughout the year with good results.

160,197 173,022 4,988 5,903

165,185 178,925

1,468,740

$55,584,428 $60,132,140

$28,152,045 $32,029,416

Mounted trooper and " hitch-hikers " pictured at Training Depot.

There are 55 horses in hand at the moment, with four foals being trained to replace older horses in four years' time.

Two horses had to be destroyed during the year as a result of unfor­tunate riding accidents.

A generous private donation of four horses has assisted in maintaining a working strength of 30 horses at the Depot stables. Twelve ex-racehorses are performing duty at the moment whilst Australia's only drum-horse, "Gendarme", trained and ridden by Senior Constable Tassell, has reached a high standard of training and is in constant demand to attend various public functions.

TRAINING -,

Training is one of the most im­portant facets of Police administration, and in order to keep abreast of the increasing complexity of Police duties, courses are being constantly tailored to meet current needs. For example, the Officers' Course, (which was first introduced in 1958), was aimed originally at broadening the outlook of members approaching Officer rank, and to prepare them for higher administrative positions. However, the complicated nature of Police work today has required more emphasis on the practical teaching of aspects of Police duties.

Also, Police are being given every opportunity to participate in selected outside courses, discussion groups and seminars, all designed to help mem­bers make a more balanced contribu­tion to the work of the Force.

Improved Police methods and tech­niques are in continual demand, and much can be learned from other coun­tries and from interstate Police. Members from other Forces are en­couraged, in limited numbers, to

attend both our Officers' and Sub­Officers' Courses. The presence of such visitors provides an avenue for the exchange of views, and a means to obtain knowledge of and prepare for possible future eventualities.

In 1969, two Deputy Superinten­dents from Malaysia, two Inspectors from Fiji and two Sergeants from Tasmania passed through the Officers' Course with thirteen of our own members. An Inspector from Pakistan and seventy-eight members from our own Force attended our Sub-Officers' Courses.

In addition to these regular courses, courses in specialized fields were also conducted. Fifty-five members at­tended the Detective Training Courses, sixty-eight Motor Driving Courses, one hundred and seventy-five Vehicle Safety Testing Courses and twenty-six members undertook Breathalyzer Training Courses.

A special Breathalyzer Training Course was also conducted for inter­state Breathalyzer Operators, provid­ing instruction to enable other Forces to conduct Breathalyzer Training Pro­grammes in their respective States.

33

Police recruits strip and assemble pistols as part of their firearms instruc­tion at the Police Depot.

34

Physical Training, Police Depot.

The course was designed to cover theoretical training only, as it was considered that members who parti­cipated in the course could under­take practical training with operators already carrying out breathalyzer duties in their respective Forces.

During the year, 49 members of the Force enrolled for a matriculation course conducted by the teaching staff of the Police Depot.

Twenty members from all over the State attended a special crime pre­vention course in November. The

recently appointed Crime Prevention Co-ordinator led the course which embraced such subjects as tighter security for homes, shops and factories ; indecent publications and their effects on the community, and the offence of stealing from shops.

The two-week course was the first of its kind, and it is expected to be one of the most significant steps to cut crime ever taken in Victoria.

Security Experts lectured and screened films for members. Excur­sions were made to banks, T.A.B.

Agencies and to factories where locks, safes, and security alarm systems are made. Those attending were provided with written literature on the relevant subjects.

Students return to their Districts with the necessary knowledge to ad­vise property owners how to make their premises more secure against robberies.

Authorized strength of the Cadets was increased from 150 to 200 during the year, and training facilities at the Police Depot were extended to accom­modate this number at any one time.

The Police Cadet scheme is con­tinuing to be a vital factor in recruit­ing for the Police Force, and to assist in this respect it was decided to appoint new Cadets twice yearly.

As far as outside courses for Cadets are concerned those available are closely watched, and where it is con­sidered that they can be of value to members, and in particular to the Police Force in general, advantage is taken of any opportunity to attend.

An example was a Symposium con­ducted by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Its dual purpose was to inform Police services of current trends in forensic science and to encourage

communication between persons in the various branches of forensic science at all levels.

It was timed to enable Police from other States attending the Police Tech­nicians' Conference in Tasmania to be present. This Force was well represented and staff of our Forensic Science Laboratory presented papers.

A further step in the use of science as an aid to Police work was the attendance of a member of the Foren­sic Science Laboratory on a course of instruction at the Atomic Energy Commission's Laboratories at Lucas Heights.

This course was designed to acquaint those attending with facilities available as far as Neutron Activation Analysis is concerned. Instruction was given on what samples could be tested with advantage by this method, and how to prepare and submit samples. The Officer who attended this course will act as Liaison Officer for this Force and any samples which may usefully be submitted for Neutron Activation Analysis will be submitted through him.

Training, aimed at maintaining a high standard of efficiency in the Force, will continue to receive top priority.

35

Students meet overseas police attending Officers' ~rain!ng Course No. 12/196_9 at ~~rlie Poli~e College. L. to R. Deputy Supt. Voon (Malaysia), Sergt. E. Brewer (VIcto~Ia ), _Inspector Domonak!ba (FiJI), _Detective Sergt. T. Hoodless

(Tasmania), Sergt. J. lbbotson (VIctona), Asst. Supt. Tahrr (Malaysia).

36

A locksmith at Ogden Industries explains lock­ing devices to Police Crime Prevention Offi­cers.

Crime Prevention Course No. 1

CRIME PREVENTION Police preoccupation with detection

and prosecution of offenders in recent years has meant that crime prevention -our primary objective, has been overlooked. The formation of a Crime Prevention Bureau this year is an effort to remedy this situation.

Commanded by a Superintendent with the title Crime Prevention Co­ordinator, it is his duty to organize a state wide programme of crime prevention. Training selected Police

personnel, mounting crime prevention campaigns, informing and counselling the public on such matters as home and business security are some of the tasks which will be carried out by this new division. There is no doubt that the costs of prevention are in­finitely lower than detection costs both in economic terms and terms of human suffering. We shall therefore look forward to a reduction in both these factors.

HONOURS

POLICE VALOUR AWARDS

First Constable L. C. Clayton, No. 12030, received the Award for exceptional bravery and devotion to duty in apprehending and disarming a dangerous, emotionally disturbed person armed with a loaded rifle.

Constable R. J. Carr, No. 15332, received the Award for outstanding courage and devotion to duty in the apprehension of an armed offender who fired shots in an endeavour to avoid arrest. The Constable also acted with great restraint when he saw the offender was only fourteen years of age.

QUEEN'S POLICE MEDALS

The following members were awarded the Queen's Police Medal for outstanding Police service.

Assistant Commissioner: James Francis Rosengren. Superintendent : Leslie Frank Wright. Superintendent : Stanley Peter Armstrong. Superintendent : George William Hill. Superintendent : Robert Mason. Superintendent : John Gilbert Brown. Chief Inspector: William Wall Warner Mooney.

CHIEF COMMISSIONER'S CERTIFICATES.

Certificates were awarded for devotion to duty and marked efficiency to :­Chief Inspector A. L. Capuano. Chief Inspector F. G. Holland. Inspector, Grade 1., A. L. Buckler. Inspector, Grade I., H. L. Hookey. Inspector, Grade 1., R. A. Kellett. Inspector, Grade 1., F. T. Kennedy. Inspector, Grade I., N. A. O'Halloran. Inspector, Grade 1., C. L. Simpson, E.D. Inspector, Grade 1., G. H. Stanesby V.B. Inspector, Grade 1., W. C. Woods. Inspector, Grade II., E. R. Janetzki. Sergeant A. G. Stewart, No. 9146. Sergeant P. Delianis, No. 11113. Senior Constable L. B. Stanley, No. 9651. Senior Constable J. S. Sidey, No. 9839. Senior Constable A. Taylor, No. 11511. First Constable F. C. J. Porter, No. 8802. First Constable R. M. Kestle, No. 8829. First Constable J. G. Williams, No. 8906. First Constable L. C. O'Dea, No. 9207. First Constable J. E. Manley, No. 9311. First Constable J. Knowles, No. 10560. First Constable B. J. O'Loughlin, No. 12837. First Constable J. S. Lock, No. 12922. First Constable B. J. Delaney, No. 13033. First Constable B. J. Hood, No. 13187. First Constable R. H. Sweetland, No. 13207. First Constable J. L. Gleeson, No. 14291. Constable P. J. Trevillian, No. 15075. Constable G. R. Mainsbridge, No. 15457.

COMMENDATIONS. Two hundred and ninety-three members of the Force received commenda­

tions for meritorious service.

37

38

POLICE SERVICE BOARD.

Appeals. Against. Result.

Lodged. Withdrawn. I Discipline. I

Allowed. i Dismissed. Adjourned to Future Date.

42 19 7 6 17 ..

During 1969, Thirteen claims were dealt with and, of these, eleven were allowed in relation to Special Duties allowances, Salaries of members of the Force and Police Cadets, Compensatory Allowances, Allowances for the performance of Higher Duties and Overtime, Allowance in lieu of quarters and Travelling and Incidental Expenses. Two claims were dismissed.

An application for an interpretation of a definition contained in the Police Regulation Act 1958, was withdrawn.

DISCIPLINE. -··-

Members I Charges

Disposition of Charges.

Charges Dealt with by- Dis· i Charged. Preferred. Not Dis- Repri- Decision missed Adjour-Proceeded Fined. with. missed. manded. Deferred. from ned.

Force.

Chief Commissioner summarily 1968 . . 21 38 .. 7 .. 19 .. . . 12

Chief Commissioner summarily 1969 . . 24 i

53 .. 4 . . 33 .. . . 16

Totals .. .. .. 45 91 .. 11 .. 52 .. . . 28

POLICE DISCIPLINE BOARD.

I DISPOSAL OF CHARGES.

Number of I Number of Not Charges Dedsion Dismissed I Reduced Adjourned

Members Charges Proceeded Dismissed. I Reprimanded. Fined. Deferred. from in Rank. to Future Charged. Preferred. With. Service. Date.

36 81 27 17 .. 22 1 .. 2 12

I I

EXTRANEOUS POSITIONS.

At 31st December, 1969, 352 members of the Force held 1,223 extraneous appointments such as Bailiffs of County Courts, Inspectors of Factories, Prosecuting Officers, &c.

39

Police Headquarters with the new eastern wing in course of construction.

40

Police Station Stanhope -one of the new build­ings erected during the year.

BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY.

Expenditure : 1967 1968 $688,000 $1,423,000

Stations opened : Nil.

1969 $1,388,000

Stations closed : Exhibition (Licence/ Registration), Kensington.

C.l.B. Divisions opened: E1tham, Springvale.

Licence/ Registration Office opened : Car! ton.

New Police Exhibition Building opened: R.A.S. Showgrounds.

Buildings completed :

Stations.-Nhill, Ouyen and Stanhope. 0/fices.-Car!ton (Central Licence and Registration Office),

Echuca, Newstead, North Melbourne (additional), Sorrento. Tarnagulla, Toora and Wangaratta (additional).

Residences.-Nil. Buildings in progress :

Stations.-NiJ. 0/fices.- Bendigo (Motor Registration and Licence Testing Office),

Oakleigh (additional), Portland, Russell Street (East Wing), Shepparton (additional), St. Kilda (Mobile Traffic).

Land purchased : Glen Waverley and Mooroolbark. Residence purchased: Wangaratta. Police Stations as at 31st December :

Government owned Privately owned

APPRECIATION.

388 5

393

I wish to thank all members of the Police Force and the Public Service staff for their wholehearted support, loyalty and efficient service throughout the year.

Also, I desire to express my appreciation of the support and co-operation given to me by other Government Departments, and Social Welfare Organizations.

N. WILBY, Chief Commissioner of Police.

GENERAL INDEX

Absconders-

Administration-establishment, graph Districts and Divisions, map organization charts Public Service Staff strength-authorized, actual

Accident Appreciation Squad­charges laid by number of investigations

Accidents­attended burning deaths drowning electrocution falls .. rail .. reports dealt with road traffic shooting tractors

Appointments­cadets recruits re-appointments

Appreciation

Breath Analysis Section­review training

Cadets­strength training

Chief Commissioner's Certificates

Children-offences warned

Children's Court

Commendations

Communications-analysis of calls received and sent review

Correspondence

Criminal Investigation Branch­review

Criminal Statistics­armed holdups drugs major crime index motor vehicles young offenders

Crime Prevention Bureau Crime Prevention Co-ordinator

A

B

c

41

PAGE

21

7 2

4, 5 and 6 3 and 9

7

27 26

26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26

25 and 26 26 26

9 8 8

40

30 33

9 35

37

20 21 20

37

30 and 31 30

3

12

16 16

18 and 19 13 20 36 34

42

Discharges Discipline Board Districts and Divisions

Drugs­offences

Finance-expenditure, receipts

Forensic Science Laboratory

General Review ..

Legislation

Major Crime Index Missing Persons­

interstate and overseas local mental institutions Social Welfare Department

Mobile Traffic

Motor Registration Branch­finance licences issued revenue vehicles registered

Mounted Branch ..

Police Service Board­appeals Discipline Board hearing disciplinary charges

Police Transport .. Prosecutions Office-

GENERAL INDEX--continued.

D

F

G

L

M

p

briefs received, not authorized, prosecuted, dismissed by court Public Relations Division-

review of work analysis

Public Service Staff

Recruiting­cadets recruits

Revenue received-Traffic-

fines infringements stamp fees transfer fees

R

PAGE

8 38 3

16

10 17 and 35

V

22

18 and 19

21 21 21 21

29

10 and 32 32

10 and 32 31

32

38 38 38 29

29

11 11

3 and 9

9 8

28 28 29 29

GENERAL INDEX-continued

Traffic­escorts infringement notices issued, revenue from offences Mobile Section Police vehicles, transport requests for particulars review

Training­cadets courses conducted crime prevention recruits review

Valour Awards

T

V

By Authority: C. H. RrxoN, Government Printer, Melbourne.

PAGE

29 28 27 29 29 27 23

35 33 34 33 33

37

43