PUBLIC ORDER
In 1997, the Police Force secured 66 per cent of the Civil Service Special Housing Quota for Disciplined Services to facilitate Junior Police Officers who were approaching retirement to acquire public housing. Alternative housing assistance provided for eligible Police officers included the Civil Service Home Financing Scheme, Home Purchase Scheme, Housing Loan Scheme and the Accommodation Allowance Scheme.
Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) comprises volunteers from all walks of life and has a proud history dating from its establishment in 1914. At the end of the year, the strength of the Force stood at 5 455 of whom 10.87 per cent were female.
Traditionally, the main function of the Force was to provide a trained manpower reserve in internal security situations and civil emergencies. It also took part in crowd management at festivals and large-scale events. In the early 1970s public disquiet at a deteriorating crime situation and difficulties in maintaining the regular Force's strength led to an expanded role for the HKAPF in supplementing regular officers on 'watch and ward' duties. These duties include crime prevention, crowd control, traffic control, operational duties, communication and community relation. Between January and September, the average daily turnout was 644 officers. The rate was reduced to 538 officers from October 1, in the light of improvements in the operational strength of the regular Force.
Independent Police Complaints Council
The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC)'s main function is to monitor and review investigations by the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) of public complaints about the Hong Kong Police Force.
The IPCC is an independent committee whose members are appointed by the Chief Executive. It comprises a chairman, three vice-chairmen and not fewer than eight other members, with the Ombudsman, or his representative, serving as an ex-officio member.
During the year, the IPCC endorsed the findings of 3 006 complaint investigations. It implemented the recommendations arising from the review of CAPO procedures and the comparative study of overseas police complaints systems. These include, among other things, review of the monitoring procedures for serious cases, expansion of the Informal Resolution system and improving the efficiency of scrutiny of complaint investigation reports. It also started a three-year publicity programme including surveys and research projects to enhance public awareness of the IPCC's role and activities as well as to assess public opinion on the police complaints system.
Customs and Excise
The Customs and Excise Department is primarily responsible for the collection of revenue and the prevention of revenue evasion on dutiable goods, the suppression of illicit trafficking in narcotics, the prevention and detection of smuggling, and the protection of intellectual property rights. It has an establishment of 4 773.
275