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PUBLIC ORDER
slightly less than those attended in the previous year. The 5,772 fingerprint impres- sions found resulted in 182 people being identified in connection with 265 crimes.
The bureau's main fingerprint collection section processed 48,387 arrest fingerprint forms during the year and identified 24,758 people as having previous convictions. The number of convicted people on record at the end of 1976 totalled 348,598.
Staff attached to the photographic section attended 2,651 crime scenes and other incidents, and supplied a total of 255,528 photographs on police matters. The docu- ment examination section, which handled 61 cases and examined 129 documents, produced 21 positive findings.
Criminal Records Office
The Criminal Records Office continued to work on projects stemming from last year's major reorganisation of the criminal records system. A significant outcome of this work was the computerisation of the Modus Operandi Index, which lists the methods habitual criminals use to commit crimes.
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Additions were also made to the extensive microfilming programme carried out last year. At December 31, details of 307,758 convicted people were held in microfilm form and a further 35,753 in hard jacket form. Details of 348,200 case paper files were also maintained on microfilm, with a further 80,000 in hard jacket form.
Communications
The Communications and Transport Branch plans, installs and maintains a sophisticated infrastructure made up of radio installations, a comprehensive computer- controlled teleprinter system, a telephone network, radar installations and a variety of specialised electronic equipment. It also manages a fleet of 1,152 vehicles compris- ing 19 different types and a driving school at which all police drivers are trained and tested. To carry out this wide range of activities, the branch has an establishment of 1,453. Of these, 1,249 are drivers while the remainder are engaged in the com- munications field.
The radio network of the highly complex beat radio scheme was completed late in the year and is now in the course of commissioning. The computer-controlled command aspect is to be installed in 1977. The $30 million project calls for equipping each of 1,600 men on the beat with a personal radio. Through these radios, a patrol- ling police constable will be able to maintain contact with district and divisional controllers, as well as other men on duty in his particular area. The wide coverage offered by the radios will greatly improve the efficiency of the force and bring about an immediate response to any crime, incident or traffic problem. The radios are being phased into use in each of the three land districts.
Another major project tackled by the branch during the year resulted in the commissioning of a special radio facility that provides rapid contact with Interna- tional Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) stations throughout the world.