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PUBLIC ORDER
inspectors attend 27-week and 36-week residential courses, respectively, at the Police Training School at Wong Chuk Hang.
New recruits have to study criminal law, police and court procedures and current affairs. They also receive training on the use of firearms, foot drill, physical fitness, self-defence, first aid, swimming and lifesaving and are required to reach similar standards regardless of sex, rank and age. They attend training in tactics for potentially dangerous situations, including instruction in strategy, the use of physical and firearms defensive skills and resistance control. They must also take a computer aptitude test to keep pace with the continuing modernisation of the force, through automation and computerisation.
The promotion and development course provided training to 3 700 officers in 1998 while the Probationary Inspector training course syllabus is undergoing a systematic review. The Higher Training Bureau provides in-service management training through three levels of command course for inspectors who have served four years in the rank, newly-promoted Chief Inspectors and Superintendents respectively.
The Weapons Training Division conducts international-standard firearms and tactics training. Core training focuses on the annual revolver courses which have been upgraded steadily to require a 75 per cent qualification score with effect from 1999.
The Detective Training School runs courses to provide the knowledge and skills needed to investigate serious crime, vice, gambling and dangerous drugs.
The Police Driving School trains about 1 800 officers each year, with emphasis on defensive driving. It runs its own independent examination and testing unit to maintain standards. All licensed officers are retested at regular intervals.
The Auxiliary Training Division conducts training for auxiliary officers, including recruit constable courses, annual camps, promotion courses, on the job training, and law and procedure training.
Recruitment
The number of applications for inspectorate posts was 4 073 in 1998, compared with 2 796 in 1997, and 143 were appointed as Inspectors. Another 36 serving officers were promoted from within the ranks. Recruitment at the constable rank remained satisfactory with 1 477 recruits out of 15 583 applicants.
Awards
Following the establishment of the SARG, a new system of honours and awards has been established. One officer was awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star and one received the Chief Executive's Commendation for Government Service. The Hong Kong Police Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded to one officer and 21 officers received the Hong Kong Police Medal for Meritorious Service. In recognition of long and loyal service, 929 officers were awarded the Hong Kong Police Long Service Medal after 18 years of continuous police service, 640 officers the 1st Clasp to the medal after 25 years' service, 249 officers the 2nd Clasp to the medal after 30 years' service and 358 officers the 3rd Clasp to the medal after 33 years' service. Among the civilians, 116 officers were awarded the Long and Meritorious Service Certificate and 30 officers received the Long Service Travel Award.