PUBLIC ORDER
and at routine duties such as crowd management, race meetings and other public gatherings.
A total of 1781 children of regular and auxiliary police officers were awarded bursaries from the two police education trusts. An increasing number of beneficiaries were able to pursue tertiary education.
The two clubs and three recreational centres saw an increase in patronage. In June 1995, a new centre was opened at Queen's Hill, providing a much-needed facility in this fast-growing area. Activities organised in these venues were very popular among police officers and their family members.
The 26 sports clubs continued to be very active and in February 1995, a Force contingent was sent to participate in the World Police and Force Games in Melbourne, Australia. It won a total of 160 medals. Three police crews also competed in the World Police Off-shore Sailing Championships in Cres Croatia in September and were placed fourth, 12th and 13th, overall.
Force Housing
The Force manages a total of 12 074 quarters, of which 10 968 are for junior police officers. The construction of 429 quarters in Wong Tai Sin is under way and scheduled for completion by 1996. As a result of redevelopment of quarters sites in Hollywood Road and Canton Road, 808 new quarters at Chai Wan and Ngau Chi Wan will be provided to the Force as replacements. They are expected to be completed in 1997. In 1995, the Force was again allocated 400 units under the Disciplined Services Quota of the Government Public Housing Scheme. Alternative sources of accommodation which remain open to eligible junior police officers include the Home Purchase Scheme, Housing Loan Scheme and Home Ownership Scheme.
The programme to refurbish 4 500 married quarters for junior police officers was progressing well. Since the introduction of the scheme in 1987, 1 862 quarters have been refurbished, resulting in a marked improvement in the structural condition and standard of these old residences.
The policy to provide housing for all eligible married police officers, including those in the inspectorate and superintendent cadres, continued to be progressively implemented. Every effort was made to acquire more quarters of higher grading, rather than opting for sheer numbers.
Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force is manned by volunteers from all walks of life and has a proud history dating from its establishment in 1914. Traditionally, the role of the Force was to provide manpower support to the regular police during emergencies.
Since 1973, depending on the overall policing commitments and numbers of the regular police, the auxiliary police have been called upon to supplement their regular counterparts in day-to-day policing. In 1995, the average daily turnout was 750 officers. Their duties included crime prevention, crowd control, traffic control, operation duties, communications and community relations. The strength of the Force at the end of the year stood at 5 476, of whom 10.8 per cent were female officers.
279