PUBLIC ORDER
of the Force grow by 126 or 0.46 per cent disciplined officers and 105 or 1.8 per cent civilian staff, as against the strength of 27 533 and 5 873 respectively in 1995.
Promotions
Promotion prospects in the Force remained good at most levels. In 1996, 46 officers were promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent and above. Sixty-four Chief Inspectors and 78 Senior Inspectors were promoted to Superintendent and Chief Inspector respectively, 14 Station Sergeants were promoted to Inspector, 50 Sergeants were promoted to Station Sergeant and 336 Police Constables to Sergeant.
Within the civilian grades, 57 general grade and 41 departmental grade officers were promoted.
In 1996, some 310 disciplinary officers retired from the Force, 35 were invalided out, 287 resigned, 55 were transferred to other departments, and 39 were either dismissed or had their services terminated. Likewise, 455 general grade, and 221 departmental grade civilian staff left the Force for retirement, transfer to other departments or termination of service by completion of contract or dismissal.
Awards
The Colonial Police Long Service Medal was awarded to 1 035 officers after 18 years of continuous police service; 318 officers were awarded the 1st Clasp to the Medal after 25 years' service and another 355 officers were awarded the 2nd Clasp after 30 years' service. In addition, five officers were awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and 39 officers the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service. The Queen's Gallantry Medal was awarded to five officers, the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct to three officers and 19 officers were awarded the Governor's Commendation. Another seven officers received awards from the Royal Humane Society. Among the civilian officers, one officer was awarded the Imperial Service Medal, three were awarded the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 95 the Long and Meritorious Service Certificate and 24 officers received the Long Service Travel Award.
Welfare
The Personnel Services Branch provides a wide range of support services to Force members and their families, in the areas of personal and family welfare, sickness, psychological consultation, assistance on retirement, sports and recreation, catering, collective bargain purchases and the allocation and up-keep of departmental quarters for police officers.
During the year, staff of the Personnel Services Branch conducted 6 012 casework interviews and made 7 380 visits to sick and injured officers in hospital or at their homes. Family life education continued to play an important part in the welfare programme, with emphasis on good parental guidance to the children.
Psychological counselling service was provided to all members of the Force and their families to help reduce their stress arising from work and /or personal affairs. Stress management training was also offered to new recruits.
The Police Catering Division continued to monitor canteens in Police stations to ensure the meals served were of good quality and reasonably priced. It also provided
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