230
HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
Chain of Command. The Force is organized under a Colony Headquarters and its main components are three territorial Police Districts, the Criminal Investigation Depart- ment, the Special Branch, and the Anti-Corruption and Narcotic Branch. The Police Training School, Traffic Division, Communications and Transport Branch, and the Police Band come directly under Headquarters. The three territorial districts, Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, are divided into divisions, sub-divisions, stations and posts. Included in the New Territories district is the Marine Division which has a fleet of 24 craft. Vessels are fitted with radiotelephone or wireless telegraph, and equipment for air-to-launch communication; eight of them are fitted with radar.
The Criminal Investigation Department is generally responsible for the prevention, detection and prosecution of crime, with specialized units at Headquarters and detective units decentralized throughout the three territorial districts. The Special Branch is responsible for the prevention and detection of subversive activities. The Anti-Corruption and Narcotics Branch is designed as a centralized unit for the better collection and dissemination of information, and the investigation and prosecution of offences, relating to corrupt practices and narcotics.
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On 31st December, 1957, the Force had a total strength of 6,169, an increase of 396 since 1956, consisting of 68 Gazetted Officers, 515 Inspectors and 5,586 Rank and File. On the same date the Force had a civilian staff of 1,001 for the performance of clerical duties and other non-police tasks.
In times of emergency the regular Police Force is rein- forced by an Auxiliary Force which, prior to September 1957, comprised two units known as the Police Reserve and the Special Constabulary. To integrate these two units more effectively with the Regular Force it was decided to amalga- mate them, and this was done on an administrative basis pending new legislation. The effect of the amalgamation