will be added to the police building programme in the near future, except for projects such as an extension of accom- modation at Police Headquarters and additional accom- modation for the Advanced Training Wing at the Police Training School.
Review of police presence
The Planning and Research Division maintains a constant review of policing facilities in Hong Kong. Currently, emphasis is being placed on the problems of high-rise policing and the gradual expansion of the neighbourhood policing concept, launched in 1974.
Neighbourhood policing units represent a decentralisa- tion of police services and are in effect 'mini' police stations situated in the heart of densely populated areas, usually public housing estates. They are generally acknowledged to be the most effective method of policing high-density housing estates. Although they may be relatively expensive in their use of manpower, which has to be taken from other formations, there can be no doubt the units are an effective complement to the traditional beat and mobile patrol
methods of policing. Plans are in hand to include in the establishment of the Force provision for the manning of such units.
Neighbourhood policing units have become a permanent feature of high-rise policing. More units are planned for all new towns, while existing reporting centres (which are manned with only one or two officers to receive reports or complaints) are gradually being converted into neigh- bourhood policing units as and when officers can be made available. By the end of 1976 there were 18 units. Together with reporting centres, these units have significantly in- creased police presence over the past few years.
Establishment review
A review of the entire police establishment is being under- taken with a view to establishing new criteria for manning scales, redeployment of existing resources based on a detailed analysis of workload, productivity, and so on, and to establish the need and criteria for expansion. First in- dications are that a major overall increase in the Force establishment will be required over and above increases approved in the financial year 1976-7.
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