PUBLIC ORDER
157
MANPOWER AND TRAINING
The strength of the regular police force at the end of the year (excluding women police) was: 130 gazetted officers; 869 junior officers; 9,273 non-commissioned officers and constables. There were 429 women police of all ranks posted throughout the force in all divisions.
Probationary inspectors are recruited both locally and in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, while constables are recruited locally. Upon enlistment all ranks are given a 26 weeks course of initial training at the Police Training School at Aberdeen. The curriculum includes public relations, civics, the principles of law and legal procedures, court procedures, police and government regulations, drill, musketry, physical training, self-defence, riot drill, life saving and first-aid. The course is designed not only to train men in police duties, but also to broaden their general outlook and fit them for responsibility. Probationary inspectors recruited overseas attend a course of instruction in Cantonese at the Government Language School, while constables are taught elementary English at the Police Training School.
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At the end of their initial training all ranks are posted tō units where they carry out duties under supervision. Probationary in- spectors return to the Police Training School for two weeks training during their second and third years of service. Inspectors also attend an advanced course during their sixth year of service. Constables return to the Police Training School for a two weeks course each year for the first four years of service and an advanced course during the sixth to 10th years of service.
In addition, inspectors and constables, between their first and second completed year of service, are required to attend the Police Training Contingent at Fanling in the New Territories for an intensive course lasting 10 and eight weeks respectively in internal security work. This course covers weapon handling and firing, basic anti-riot drill and movements in platoon and company formation. Also included in the syllabus is training in the setting up of road blocks, cordoning, house searching and crowd control. Non-commissioned officers are also required to attend the course on promotion to that rank, in order to be taught the latest techniques in internal security matters. Subsequently they attend