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Department and other government agencies. In addition to normal radio telephonic speech, the system permits the use of secure speech and visual data transmission and reception.
The Communications Branch maintains a large range of sophisticated telecommunica- tion equipment, as well as improving existing facilities and introducing new telecom- munication systems. Work to provide a communications system for policing the Hong Kong Island extension to the Mass Transit Railway continues. Replacement of the force teleprinter system with a more sophisticated network is in hand. The computer equipment used in the Force Command and Control System is being refurbished to ensure its continued performance until it is replaced by a new system in 1990.
Transport
The Police Force transport fleet now consists of 1 828 vehicles, including 644 motorcycles. Diesel-engined heavy general purpose vehicles have been introduced to replace ageing petrol-engined equipment, and an examination is being undertaken to identify a suitable replacement motorcycle for traffic patrols.
Computer Development
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The force has used computer facilities for many years to assist administration and operational policing - such as the Computer Assisted Command and Control System, the computerised processing of fixed penalty tickets and maintenance of personnel records. The Computer Development Branch has continued work on the Criminal Records Bureau Nominal Index Computer System to extend terminal access to more formations. Other projects have included the provision of a computerised examination marking system for police recruits, and the introduction of word processors.
Two-other projects being developed are a second generation Computer Assisted Command and Control System, and a Personnel and Training Computer System.
Complaints Against Police
During the year, 4 177 complaints were received by the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO), an increase of 1.5 per cent over 1983. They resulted in 171 officers being dis- ciplined or prosecuted in court for criminal offences. A positive factor was that the number of complaints made directly to the police, and in particular to CAPO, continued to rise, and this was seen as a reflection of public confidence in the internal investigative process.
A review by a working party into the methods by which complaints are received, investigated and monitored, is underway with a' view to improving existing procedures.
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
The year marked the 25th anniversary of the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force. The present strength of the force is 4 937; approximately 10 per cent are women officers. The role of the force is to assist the regular police force in day-to-day constabulary duties and to provide additional manpower in times of emergency. The average daily turnout of auxiliaries for constabulary duties in 1984 was in the region of 700.
Customs and Excise Service
The Customs and Excise Service enforces Hong Kong's laws on dutiable commodities, dangerous drugs, import and export controls and copyright protection. Other responsibili- ties include the prevention and detection of illegally imported goods which are prohibited or restricted for public health or safety reasons, or to meet international obligations.