PUBLIC ORDER
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basis. The aim is to foster closer relations between the villagers and the police in the same way that Neighbourhood Policing Units operate in urban areas.
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Public requests for police assistance throughout the year totalled 258,154 an average of 707 a day. This was an increase of 15.9 per cent over 1976, reflecting the improved reporting facilities and procedures now available. About 14 per cent of the requests were connected with crime.
In April, the force embarked on its biggest recruiting campaign, with a target of enrolling 3,000 recruits at inspector, constable and cadet level by the end of the financial year. At the end of 1977, the number of applicants totalled 16,651, of which 2,264 were accepted.
In October and November, in a series of meetings, a large number of police rank and file expressed their opposition to the alleged methods adopted by the ICAC in its investigations into corruption in the force.
On October 28, these meetings culminated in a large assembly which marched to Police Headquarters and presented, to the commissioner, a petition summarising grievances against the ICAC. Shortly afterwards, a group of about 40 went to the Operations Department of the ICAC, where an affray took place.
During the following week, there was evidence of unrest in the force and some neglect of duty by its members. Early in November, the Governor announced a partial amnesty, for corruption offences, in the terms specified later in this chapter under the ICAC section.
Other measures which were taken included: the conferring on the Commissioner of Police power to dismiss summarily any officer who disobeys an order issued by him; and the formation of a Junior Police Officers' Association to represent the views of the police rank and file.
Crime
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During the year, 56,749 crimes were reported to the police - 5,260 less than in 1976. Crimes that decreased were: robberies, 6,525 (8,895 in 1976); blackmail, 2,840 (4,775); trafficking in dangerous drugs, 1,661 (2,711); burglaries, 5,565 (5,665); and frauds 2,052 (2,412). On the increase were: miscellaneous thefts not associated with blackmail, 11,234 (8,745); serious assaults, 5,039 (4,613); criminal damage to prop- erty, 1,558 (1,375); and indecent assault on females 876 (850).
The overall crime detection rate was 60.6 per cent, compared with 59.7 per cent in 1976.
A total of 21,839 people were arrested, compared with 23,485 the previous year. The number of adult prosecutions decreased by eight per cent to 20,154, but juvenile prosecutions (under 16 years) rose by 7.5 per cent to 1,685.
Triad-Type Crime
Triad intelligence units in districts and divisions were increased during the year, bringing the total anti-triad structure to 532 officers. Of these, 157 are attached to the Triad Society Bureau, while the remainder operate from district headquarters and police stations.
The Triad Society Bureau concentrates on co-ordinating the drive against triad elements and taking offensive action against organised gangs operating territory-wide.