PUBLIC ORDER
On a continuing basis, as old communications systems enter the second half of their life expectancy, planning has begun to identify suitable replacement equipment, to meet the changing needs of the Force through the application of state-of-the-art technology and to contribute towards the development of a fully integrated force-wide communications system.
Information Technology
The Information Technology Branch continued to plan, develop and implement computer- based information technology systems in accordance with the Force's Information Technology Strategy. The ever-growing workload of operational units, coupled with manpower retention and recruitment difficulties, had resulted in the need for improved efficiency and effectiveness at all levels of the Force an area in which information technology plays an important role.
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Work continued throughout 1992 to upgrade and enhance the computer-based Command and Control System used by the Force to more effectively command, control and deploy resources to incidents. Work was in hand to incorporate several additional sub-systems to expand the system by the provision of remote terminals to all police stations and to provide separate internal security and training and exercise modes. When work is completed in late 1993, all levels of the Force will have direct access to the system, thereby enabling commanders and operational units to have an immediate access to the most up-to-date and wide-ranging information relevant to their particular needs. As an associated development, an additional interface was put into operation during the year, enabling a direct access to other government systems which held motor vehicle, driver and identity card data.
An experimental project to fully computerise Wan Chai District with the objective of producing an essentially paperless station environment moved closer to completion during the year, following the successful incorporation of a personnel and training sub-system. Although this is only a pilot project, the exercise has so far been very successful. It has laid the cornerstone for the eventual full computerisation of all police stations, which is, however, subject to funding approval.
Work continued throughout the year to extend the Criminal Intelligence Computer System to attend to the need of the Narcotics Bureau and Commercial Crime Bureau with a view to enhancing the Force's intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities in these complex and important areas of law enforcement.
The production of an infrastructure which integrates all major computer systems to enhance efficiency by the provision of state-of-the-art technology to support the Force in the discharge of its duties remains the overall direction of the Information Technology Strategy.
Transport
Transport Branch is responsible for the procurement and maintenance of the Force vehicle fleet and the training and management of police drivers. The establishment of the fleet, standing at 2 276 at the end of the year, is reviewed on an annual basis, with additional vehicles purchased to stay in line with operational requirements.
With the increase in the number of roads making up the strategic road network and the problems associated with its policing, consideration was given to upgrading the motor
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