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This is the second of a series of articles on the Police Force of Hong Kong. In the first section, published in our last issue, we illustrated the various police stations on the Island, gave a brief outline of the organization of the present Police Force, and traced its early history. In this issue we shall reproduce photographs of the different police stations in Kow- loon and shall give a specific description of the new stations now being built all over the Colony-in Hong Kong and in Kowloon to replace the antiquated pre-war structures. In our next issue, we shall conclude the series by illustrating the New Territories Stations, both old and new, describe in greater detail the internal organization of the Force and outline the work being accomplished in the New Territories.
A better appreciation of the pressing need for adequate premises can be obtained when the scope and ramifications of the police work is understood.
The Hong Kong Force is commanded by a Commissioner, who is assisted by a Deputy Commissioner, 4 Assistant Com- missioners and 35 Superintendents and Assistant Super- intendents. There is an Inspectorate of 409, of whom 149 are local officers and the remainder Europeans. The Island of Hong Kong is under the direct command of an Assistant Commissioner, known as the Commanding Officer Hong Kong, who is assisted by three Assistant Superintendents each in charge of a division of the Island. Similarly, Kowloon and the New Territories come under the control of a Commanding Officer of similar rank who is assisted by 4 Assistant Super- intendents, each in charge of a division of the mainland. The Water Police is under the control of an Assistant Super- intendent. Other branches of the Force include the Special Branch which is under the control of an Assistant Com- missioner; the Criminal Investigation Branch and the Anti- Corruption Branch.
Police Training School
To assist in rebuilding a trustworthy Police Force a Police Training School was re-established in October, 1945, to supply
Typical floor plan
showing two
apartments at
New Kowloon City Police Station
(Right) Looking north across the compound at Kowloon City Police Station.
New Kowloon City Divisional Police Station on Argyle Street, and part plan of the ground floor of the main station block,
REHABILITATION
AND THE
POLICE FORCE
trained recruits to the Force. The school is under the control of a Commandant of the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police who is assisted by two European inspectors and six Chinese inspectors. At first the School was established in requisitioned premises at Stanley but it was later moved to Kowloon. In order to release these premises as early as possible, arrangements were made for the establishment of a permanent training school at Aberdeen in a location more suitable for the purpose.
The course of instruction for rank and file is a period of three months and the syllabus of instruction has been greatly amplified to keep abreast of modern police methods. Instruc- tion now includes training in the use of most firearms, as well as tear smoke grenades and in such subjects as general criminal law, forensic medicine, public hygiene, police orders, routine, and so on.
Traffic Control
The very serious state of affairs in connection with traffic control is one of the major responsibilities of the Police Force. This is now one of their most acute problems. The continued importation into the Colony of both private and commercial vehicles has presented acute problems of road congestion and parking space. The extent to which the problems can be resolved is limited by the lack of open spaces in the urban
area.
Special wireless control devices and additional motor vehicles of every description have been obtained and are proving of great assistance not only in control of traffic but also towards the general maintenance of law and order in the Colony.
The past three years have shown an amazing increase in the number of vehicles in use on the 410 miles of roads in the Colony. In 1948 there were 11.757 vehicles, in 1949 there were 14,551. These figures do not include Service vehicles which now number several thousand. The increase in num- bers of both vehicles and pedestrians, and lack of adequate parking space have aggravated the traffic problem. In an put into operation with considerable success, and parking facilities have been extended almost to the limit. A 24 hour silent zone was introduced towards the end of 1949 in the centre of Victoria, and this has proved very beneficial. A number of regular pedestrian crossings were instituted at the same time.
Developments
New developments during the year 1949 include the setting up of a much needed Forensic Laboratory, under a qualified forensic specialist, who has been appointed Police Surgeon after taking a course of forensic study at Glasgow and Edin- burgh Universities. The Criminal Records office has been improved and reorganised, and in the Crime Statistical Office
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