died in the course of duty and were accorded places on the Roll of Honour:
•
•
Roll of Honour
s killed
PC 12950 LAU Kang-wah On May 30, PC LAU in a traffic accident while on a motorcycle driving course. DC 8975 TANG Fuk-cheung On August 2, DC TANG was killed during a robbery attempt in Sham Shui Po. PC 7333 SO Yi-yi - On October 29, PC SO was killed in a traffic accident while on mobile patrol duty.
The Commissioner, Mr Slevin, visits an injured officer in hospital.
This year marked an important development in the deployment of the Police Welfare Fund. With effect from September, benefits from this fund, which were previously available only to junior and Inspectorate officers, were extended to police officers of all ranks and civilian officers serving in the Force. This move makes for greater integra- tion of all members of the Force. The Police Welfare Fund continued to benefit officers by awarding interest-free loans and grants in extenuating circumstances.
In addition to financing social and recreational projects, the fund also grants financial assistance to the police primary. schools at Tin Kwong Road, Cheung Sha Wan, Kennedy Town and Tanner Road for organisation of sporting, social and welfare activities.
The number of police children receiving bursaries from the Police Children's Education Trust further increased during the year. A total of 1,497 children were attending universities, colleges and secondary schools, involving $694,640.50 in bursary payment. Additionally, the Trust provided financial assistance towards the education of 15 children on compassionate grounds, including eight who were receiving special education, and 14 who were receiv- ing vocational training. The Trust also provided grants towards the education of 39 children of regular and Auxiliary police officers of various ranks.
The Welfare Section continued to process applications from serving officers for priority allocation of quarters on compassionate grounds, and assisting pensioners and widows who occupy police quarters in obtaining public housing. A total of 523 cases were dealt with in the year under review.
It also provided assistance to retired officers and families in obtaining employment. During the year, employment was found for 217 persons.
There are six co-operative societies in Rank and File married quarters which are run by members under the overall control of the Senior Force Welfare Officer. The objective of these societies is to enable tenants to purchase daily necessities conveniently and at reasonable cost; to benefit from profits; and to participate in social and recrea- tional activities. During the year, membership was 2,099 with an annual turnover of $2,521,249.80.
The funerals with Force Honours of officers killed on duty are arranged by the welfare staff. The following officers
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Sports and Recreation
The Force suffered tragedy during the year. As in 1976 three good policemen died. They form the 1977 Roll of Honour.
Closely inter-related with welfare are sporting and recrea- tional facilities which play a major role in maintaining a high level of morale within the Force. These are organised at Force, district, divisional and sub-divisional levels, as well as through clubs and associations.
Social and recreational projects include expanding holiday accommodation now available at three locations with plans for further increases in hand. Functions held during the year included the annual police families day, numerous land and launch picnics, divisional social functions and parties. Other projects under consideration include the acquisition of pleasure boats for launch outings, renting more holiday homes for officers off duty and organising annual police fairs.
The Hong Kong Police Sports Association maintains a very high level of social and sporting activities for its mem- bers. The number of sports clubs formed under the aegis of this association has increased to 22.
During the year, representative police teams were suc- cessful in many local and overseas sports competitions. In the Welsh International 2-Day Trials held in the United