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pursuable was 2 084, representing 69.5 per cent of the total. Altogether, 479 cases or 16 per cent of all complaints were dealt with through an Informal Resolution Scheme. If all complaints were taken into account, including cases where the allegation was withdrawn, not pursuable or dealt with by way of informal resolution, the substantiation rate for endorsed cases was 2.6 per cent. A total of 31 police officers were disciplined and nine charged with offences resulting from the complaints.
The Complaints Against Police Office is also responsible for advising Force members on how complaints can be prevented. Throughout the year, lectures and seminars on complaint prevention were organised for junior police officers, with the aim of improving public relations and reducing situations of conflict. A Complaints Prevention Committee, made up of various ranks in the Force, was established in 1992 to make recommendations on how complaints can be prevented and how these recommendations can best be implemented.
Recruitment
As at December 31, 1994, the strength of the Force had improved and stood at 27 480 disciplined and 6037 civilian staff, against an establishment of 27 319 and 5 834, respectively.
During the year, 35 local direct-entry officers were appointed as inspectors, while 65 were promoted from the ranks internally. In addition, 20 overseas officers were recruited by the Force. Recruitment of overseas officers ceased by the end of the year.
With regard to the recruitment of constables, 8 277 applications were received, with 1 076 recruits subsequently taken on strength.
Generally, the recruitment of disciplined staff remained steady while the wastage rate continued to decline.
Recruitment of civilian staff also remained at a satisfactory level, particularly for the posts of traffic warden and police communications officer. A total of 189 officers were recruited for various grades.
Civilian Staff
Civilians play a vital role in the Force and have a wide variety of duties. Studies and reviews are conducted regularly to identify posts occupied by disciplined officers which could be handled by civilians, so that the former can take up constabulary duties. The civilians in the Force include executive, clerical and secretarial officers who handle general adminis- trative matters; professionals; supplies staff; interpreters; communications and computer specialists; armourers; traffic wardens; cooks and workmen. In all, the Force has 59 separate civilian grades.
Training
Training is a vital part of a police officer's career, starting with basic training on recruitment, followed by in-service training (which takes place both locally and, in some cases, overseas) and training after promotion.
Newly-recruited inspectors and constables are sent to the Police Training School at Wong Chuk Hang, a modern 18-hectare campus, for their initial training. The 36-week inspectors' and the 27-week constables' courses cover similar subjects, including criminal law, social studies, police and court procedures, drill, firearms, first-aid, physical fitness, swimming,