of duties ranging from crowd control at race meetings, foot- ball matches and sponsored charity walks, to crime preven- tion and detection.
Following the district attachment, during which the companies continue to form part of the Commissioner's reserve, each company disbands and all ranks return to their parent formations.
Also under the command of the Commandant of the Police Tactical Unit is the Special Duties Unit, a highly- trained group which forms part of the Force's counter- terrorist capability.
The Armoured Personnel Carrier (Saracen) Unit also operates under the direction of the PTU. The unit com- prises 14 Saracen armoured personnel carriers which are used in emergencies ranging from natural disasters to internal security operations.
Police Dog Unit
Police dogs and their handlers are attached to a number of police stations where they are deployed in a wide variety of tasks. The unit has 64 dogs, including Alsatians, Dober- manns and Labradors. In addition to anti-crime patrols, they are used as trackers and for the detection of narcotics. During 1976 handlers and their dogs were responsible for 67 arrests for offences ranging from illegal gambling to robbery. The dogs also have a well-acknowledged preven- tive role.
The main base of the Police Dog Unit is housed in the former Ping Shan police station in the New Territories, The headquarters not only handles the administration of the unit but also provides basic and refresher training courses for dogs and their handlers.
Dogs from the unit continued to compete successfully against Army dogs and those entered by civilians in obedience trials organised by the Hong Kong Kennel Club. Dogs from the unit also gave a number of demonstrations for the general public and 12 dogs and their handlers raised $3,500 by participating in the Community Chest's New Territories 'Walk for a Million.'
In November the Police Dogmaster attended a month- long specialist course in the United States organised by the US Customs Department.
Societies and Licensing Office
Under the Societies Ordinance, the Commissioner of Police is the Registrar of Societies and tasks in furtherance of this role are the responsibility of an office within the Support Wing of Police Headquarters. The office is also responsible for all other forms of licensing for which the police are responsible or in which there is police interest. Police invol- vement in licensing continued to be the subject of review with the aim of relinquishing duties and responsibilities which can more appropriately be dealt with by Government departments. During 1976 a number of licensing functions were transferred to other authorities.
Societies
At the end of 1975 there were 2,418 registered societies and 386 exempted from registration under the ordinance. A further 38 were under consideration at that time. In 1976
a total of 150 new applications were received. During the year 135 groups were registered as societies, 23 societies were granted exemption from registration, and two applica- tions were withdrawn. There were 28 applications still being processed at the end of the year. The records then showed 2,532 registered societies, and 407 societies were exempted from registration under the Societies Ordinance.
Licensing
The number of arms licenses on issue at the end of the year was 2,015 and the number of permits of exemption was 721. A total of 434 arms and 3,174 rounds of ammunition were forfeited. There were 5,919 miscellaneous licences and permits issued.
The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force has an establishment of 5,000. It acts in support of, and in real terms as an integral part of, the regular Force. There is a unified command at all levels.
Day-to-day auxiliary officers work alongside their regular colleagues and assist them in maintaining law and order. Similarly, in an emergency, when the Commissioner may order mobilisation of the Auxiliary Force, its members provide valuable support in an internal security posture.
The Auxiliary Force is commanded by a commandant with the rank of Senior Assistant Commissioner (Auxiliary). He is supported by an executive headquarters unit under the command of a regular chief staff officer and staffed by regular and auxiliary officers. The command structure is similar to that of the regular Force, being divided into districts (including Marine), divisions and special units. Each district is commanded by a chief superintendent (Auxiliary).
There are 28 formations: 14 land divisions; four emer- gency units; five special duty companies; two marine divisions; a communications division; a traffic formation; and a 25-piece band under the command of an inspector (Auxiliary). Each of the other formations is commanded by a superintendent (Auxiliary).
During the year a daily average of 900 auxiliary police officers performed regular constabulary duties. They pro- vided valuable service and were a significant element in the manning of neighbourhood policing units.
In order to maintain a high standard of efficiency, full in-service training is provided at the Auxiliary Headquarters on Hong Kong Island.
M
Although the aim of the Auxiliary Force to assist the regular Force in maintaining law and order has not changed since its inception, the importance and value of its contribution has grown significantly over the last few years. Their contribution is greatly appreciated by the regular Force and by the community.
Special Branch
Special Branch is a major formation within the Force structure, charged with the prevention and detection of subversive and espionage activities and the collection, collation, assessment and dissemination of intelligence.
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