PUBLIC ORDER
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In the suppression of the illicit trade in counterfeit goods, seizures amounting to $105 million were recorded in 1991. Great attention was paid to the eradication of local manufacturing and distribution centres as well as the detection of counterfeit goods in transit through Hong Kong. In particular, great efforts were made to eliminate retail outlets for counterfeit watches, leatherware, electrical and electronic items.
Customs Co-operation Council
The Customs Co-operation Council (CCC) of which Hong Kong is a member, was established to improve and harmonise international customs operations and facilitate international trade.
The department has assisted the CCC to run a regional liaison office established in Hong Kong since December 1987. This is a central body, primarily for the co-ordination and dissemination of customs intelligence on drug-related matters within the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Region.
Endangered Species
Hong Kong is fully committed to the protection of endangered species as specified under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Specifically, the import or export of ivory in whatever form is now prohibited except under a licence or as personal effects up to a specified quantity. The department works closely with the Agriculture and Fisheries Department to enforce the licensing requirements and investigate offences in connection with the import and export of ivory as well as other endangered species of animals and plants.
Police Complaints Committee
The main function of the Police Complaints Committee is to monitor and review investigation by the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force of complaints made against the police by the public. Set up in 1986 to replace the former UMELCO Police Group, the committee is an independent body appointed by the Governor. The chairman and two vice-chairmen are normally drawn from the Office of Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (OMELCO). Committee members include eight Justices of the Peace, the Attorney General or his representative and the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints.
During the year, the committee endorsed 3 333 complaint cases, after being satisfied that each case had been thoroughly and impartially investigated by CAPO. Having reviewed these cases, the committee proposed a number of changes to police practices, procedures and instructions to improve the overall effectiveness of the complaint system and assist the Commissioner of Police in minimising public complaints against the police.
Independent Commission Against Corruption
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is independent of the Civil Service and its commissioner is directly responsible to the Governor. It fights corruption on three fronts: investigation, prevention and education. It carries out this work through three functional departments - Operations, Corruption Prevention and Community Relations.