PUBLIC ORDER
Transport
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The force transport fleet continued to expand. With the addition of new vans, the Police Tactical Unit is now equipped with the latest and most efficient personnel carriers. The force Traffic Branch also benefitted from the modernisation drive, taking delivery of 209 new motorcycles to replace existing machines. The force transport fleet now totals 1 825 vehicles and includes many classes of transportation - ranging from those equipped for heavy-lifting duty, and major incident control vehicles, to 650 cc motorcycles.
Computer Development
Planning for a computerised Personnel and Training Record System continued in 1985. The first phase is due to become operational in mid-1986, with the entire project scheduled for completion in 1988. Computerisation of personnel records will make management of the force's considerable personnel resources more effective and enhance efficiency through improved career planning capabilities and manpower deployment. More than 50 word processors were acquired to assist operational and administrative functions.
Complaints Against Police
The Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO), was set up in 1974 to investigate complaints from members of the public concerning the conduct and behaviour of police officers - with the exception of complaints involving corruption which are dealt with separately. Over the intervening years the unit has expanded considerably, and it now has offices covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories. In 1985, 4 337 complaints were registered, representing an increase of 4.1 per cent over the previous year. During the year, 100 police officers were disciplined and 10 others were convicted of criminal offences. The rate of substantiated cases at the end of the year was 7.8 per cent, with 1084 cases still to be completed.
Almost 90 per cent of complaints were made in person or by telephone to CAPO or police stations, indicating that the public continued to have faith in the internal investigation procedures conducted by the police. In addition to investigating complaints, CAPO officers also take action to counter complaints by briefing operational officers on current trends, with a view to reducing conflict with members of the public and promoting good relations.
Licensing and Societies Registration
Amendments made to the Watchmen Ordinance during the year included imposing an upper age limit, simplifying appeal procedures, and the introduction of fees for permits. By the end of the year, a total of 58 728 watchmen were registered, compared with 48 616 the previous year.
Applications for other licences, for which the Commissioner of Police is the authority, remained relatively steady throughout the year.
A total of 243 groups applied to the police for registration under the Societies Ordinance.
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
Officers joining the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force are volunteers who come from all walks of life. The present strength of the force is 4 813, approximately 10 per cent of whom are women officers. The functional roles of the force are to assist the regular police force in day-to-day constabulary duties and to provide additional manpower during times of need.