Page 238 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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it has been difficult to obtain suitable men. The somewhat monotonous routine of the police and the
fact that men have to remain in the service for a specified number of years discourages the present
day Arab from.enlisting. They prefer work which offers more variety and which they can leave when
they feel inclined.
The strength of the natur force was increased by 13, this force includes 46 men who are paid
by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy who arc employed as guards on the aerodrome and at
Jufair.
Duties.—About 125 N.C.Os. and men were continuously employed on standing guards and
normal patrols, in the Police Stations and on traffic duty. The decrease in smuggling, from natural
causes, made it unnecessary to maintain some of the special coastal guards and patrols. About 30
naturs were stationed throughout the year on islands and at points on the coast, the remainder were
employed in guarding the bazaars and streets of Manamah and Muharraq from sunset till sunrise.
Some Oman Arabs were enlisted as naturs owing to the lack of suitable men of Bahrain nationality.
In the annual musketry course 5 officers and 280 N.C.Os. and men participated. The standard
of shooting was satisfactory and 46 of the competitors won prizes for good shooting. A four days
route march was carried out during the spring, the police camped at Hedd, Sitra, Safrah and Jesrah.
Leave was taken by 100 N.C.Os. and men, most of them spending their leave in Bahrain, in some
eases men on leave took temporary employment, a practice which is not discouraged ; 44 months
leave pay was granted to 41 N.C.Os. and men who had over 3 months' earned leave to their credit.
Over 100 naturs took leave during the year. Police and naturs are allowed one month’s leave for
each 12 months service, on full pay.
Rations and Stores.—During the year 607 rations were issued to police on outpost duty
and 399 rations were drawn by naturs. When men arc posted to distant outposts they are issued with
rations in kind in addition to their ration allowance. Flour was bought from the Food Control Depart­
ment and other food supplies were bought in the market. Among the new stores and uniforms which
were obtained from the United Kingdom were 400 pairs of army boots, 350 overcoats, veterinary stores
for the mounted section and spares for the police launches.

Accounts.—The amount of the Police Fund at the end of the year was Rs. 11,333, payments
totalling Rs. 525 were made to the relations of policemen who had died in service and loans were
granted to the police amounting to Rs. 8,550. Deductions from pay towards refund of diving debts
totalled Rs. 4,504. Seven men completed the repayment of their diving debts. At the end of the
year there was Rs. 1,51,000 in the Police Provident Fund.

Transport.—A new patrol launch was built during the year. One launch is now stationed
at Sitra, one at Budeya and two at Muharraq. \
Prisoners.—During the year 225 prisoners were received in the jail and 236 prisoners were
discharged on completion of their sentences. One American prisoner served a term of imprisonment.
Improvements were carried out in the European cell but the question of feeding European prisoners
is still difficult. At present they are provided with food from the Officers' Mess. The health of the
prisoners was better than in 1368, there were 3.44 prisoners on sick parade in 1368 as against 5.17
in 1369. Twelve prisoners were admitted to hospital, one prisoner who was serving a life sentence for
murder, died from Bright's disease.
Crime.—The number of cases presented in the Bahrain and Agency courts was slightly higher
than in the previous year, included in the figures are trivial offences such as committing a nuisance
and very minor assaults. The people of Bahrain are not backward in going to court over unimportant
matters as there are no court fees in criminal eases. If the police do not pay attention to complaints
which appear to be quite unnecessary the public complains that the Police are not doing their duty. !
There was a small increase in the number of theft eases, which includes pickpocketing, and in assault
cases, most of which were of a minor nature. Again it was evident that more criminal cases occur
among foreigners than among Bahrain subjects; 116 foreigners were prosecuted in the Agency courts