THE COURTS, POLICE, PRISONS AND RECORDS
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is assisted by a number of Staff Officers, each responsible for a particular aspect of administration. The three Territorial Police Districts, the Criminal Investigation Department and the Special Branch are commanded by Assistant Commissioners. The Anti- Corruption and Narcotics Branch, the Police Training School, the Police Training Contingent, the Traffic Branch, the Communica- tions and Transport Branch and the Immigration Office are in the charge of Senior Superintendents. The three Territorial Districts each contain a number of Divisions, Sub-Divisional Stations and Posts. Included in the New Territories District is the Marine Division equipped with a fleet of twenty six craft which are fitted with either radiotelephone communication_or wireless-telegraph, and equipment for air-to-launch communication; ten are fitted with radar.
The Criminal Investigation Department is generally responsible for the prevention, detection and prosecution of crime, with specialized units at Colony Headquarters and detective units decentralized throughout the three Territorial Districts. The Special Branch is responsible for the prevention and detection of sub- versive activities. The Anti-Corruption and Narcotics Branch is designed as a centralized unit for the better collection and dis- semination of information, and the investigation and prosecution of offences, relating to corrupt practices and narcotics.
The Force has an establishment of 7,630, consisting of 87 Gazetted Officers, 649 Inspectors and 6,894 Rank and File. The actual strength on 31st December 1959, was 86 Gazetted Officers, 581 Inspectors and 6,458 Rank, and File. Included in these figures is an establishment of Women Police consisting of 1 Gazetted Officer, 4 Inspectors and 174 Rank and File.
Auxiliaries. The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force consists of two former units known as the Police Reserve and the Special Constabulary which were amalgamated on an administrative basis in September 1957. The two units were legally amalgamated under the provisions of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force Ordinance No. 2 of 1959 which came into operation on 30th January 1959 by proclamation No. 1 of 1959 of the same date.
The single chain of command resulting in the combination of the two former units has provided for a greater administrative efficiency in training and emergency duties. The officers and men