PUBLIC ORDER
database for the support of operations throughout the Force. The Force Administrative Support System will support the general administration of the Force by centrally maintaining personnel, training, leave, allowances, accounting and financial records, as well as a database from which related management and statistical information can be obtained. The Free-standing Systems will cater for specific local needs which are largely self-contained within specific formations, such as the Police Training School, police stores, marine police and Special Branch,
Planning also commenced for the Police Data Communications Network, which will link the various systems within the strategy with one another and with existing systems.
At the end of September, implementation of the first stage of Phase II of the Enhanced Command and Control Computer System was completed, with the incorporation and/or enhancement of three sub-systems to assist in managing resources and incidents; the provision of terminals to all police stations and district, regional and Force headquarters; and the provision of separate operational environments for internal security and training duties. Work also continued throughout the year on the three final sub-systems to provide management information, location identification and intruder alarm identification. Its completion is expected by mid-1994.
System development work for the extension of the Criminal Intelligence Computer System to the Narcotics Bureau and Commercial Crime Bureau was completed, and the fully-expanded system went into operation in August. This has enhanced the Force's intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities in these complex areas of law enforcement.
Transport-
The police vehicle fleet continued to expand and modernise to keep pace with developments. At the end of the year, it stood at 2 314. Significant progress was also made to obtain improved performance from the fleet by the evaluation of several major vehicle types prior to purchase. The introduction of a charging system by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department placed fleet maintenance on a commercial footing, and resulted in the Force exercising tighter control over servicing standards and vehicle availability.
During the year, increased emphasis was placed on the standard of police drivers. An operational driving course was introduced in early 1993 to enhance the ability of the Force to respond to emergencies and other difficult situations. Several instructors attended overseas driving courses as part of a continuing programme to upgrade driving skills and, in pursuit of Force policy, to become fully self-sufficient in driver training.
Planning also continued to upgrade the Force Transport Management Information System and to acquire an automated Fuel Dispensing System.
Research
The Research Branch completed a comprehensive study into the posts held and the tasks undertaken by women police officers within the Force during the year. Also studied and reported on were projects concerning the future use of bilingual forms within the Force, the value and necessity of the 'morning conference' system of management, the need for and level of protection required to combat firearm threats to police vehicles and their occupants, and a study into the effectiveness of the transfer of responsibility to regions of the Enhanced Command and Control Computer Systems.
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