 In the following year he accepted the position of superintendent of the Melbourne Police, and attempted to reconcile what he described as "the great inefficiency of the District" (Melbourne and County of Bourke) "Police Force arising from their scattered and isolated stations" and a lack of constables of police.Sturt found his troubles to be influenced by various gold rushes, which took a toll on police numbers – indeed he reported in December 1851 that he had lost forty of his fifty staff to resignation.In early 1853, Sir William Mitchell assumed Sturt's position of Superintendent of police and Evelyn was reappointed as magistrate for Melbourne, serving for the next twenty-five years.