PUBLIC ORDER
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Police Office was made available to the public. The office, which has premises on both sides of the harbour, monitors all investigation into complaints made against members of the force, and investigates all complaints of misconduct and alleged criminal offences by police officers, except those involving corruption (which are handled by the Independent Commis- sion Against Corruption).
A senior Crown Counsel was appointed by the Attorney General to assist the Com- plaints Against Police Office in identifying lines of investigatory action in criminal and disciplinary cases. In 1981, 2946 complaints were received; an increase of 13.5 per cent over 1980.
The handling of all complaints continued to be reviewed on a monthly basis by the UMELCO Police Group which comprises members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Attorney General and two senior police officers.
During the year, 35 members of the force were found guilty of disciplinary offences arising out of complaints, most of which were of a minor nature. In addition, 17 police officers were convicted of criminal offences arising out of complaints.
Auxiliary Police
The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force recruits volunteers from all walks of life and has an establishment of 5 435. Its actual strength at the end of 1981 was 5 104. The principal role of the force is to support the regular force in its constabulary duties. In an emergency, when mobilisation may be ordered, auxiliaries provide personnel for internal security work.
In 1981, a daily average of 967 auxiliary volunteers turned out for constabulary duties. The efficiency of the force continued to be maintained by scheduled in-service training at Auxiliary Police Headquarters on Hong Kong Island, various auxiliary unit bases and the new Kwai Chung Training Centre.
Customs and Excise Service
The Customs and Excise Service is a disciplined force which forms a self-contained part of the Department of Customs and Controls - one of the three constituent departments of the Trade Industry and Customs Department. Its main functions are to enforce the laws of Hong Kong relating to dutiable commodities, dangerous drugs, import and export controls and copyright protection. The service is also charged with a wide range of other responsibilities, including the prevention and detection of illegally imported goods which are prohibited or restricted for reasons of public health and safety, or in compliance with international obligations.
The year 1981 saw the Customs and Excise Service undergo a significant re-organisation. The service was previously organised on a functional basis and the work was controlled through two lines of management, one controlling operations and the other controlling administration. The re-organised service has two specialist/support branches - the Customs and Excise Headquarters and the Customs Investigation Bureau and a field structure comprising three regions which cover Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territor- ies. The establishment of the service at the end of 1981 was 1992 in all ranks, supported by 167 civilians. The Commissioner of the Customs and Controls Department is also the Commissioner of the Customs and Excise Service.
Revenue Protection
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There are four dutiable commodities in Hong Kong - alcoholic liquors, tobacco, methyl alcohol and hydrocarbon oil used as fuel for motor vehicles and aircraft. The Customs and
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