324 Public Order
In 2011, the Hong Kong Police Force hosted its 19th meeting with the Ministry of Public Security of China in Beijing at which major security matters were discussed. The Police Force also co-operated closely with the Guangdong Public Security Department and Macao Police in combating cross-boundary crimes. In June 2011, the Police Force hosted the 17th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Tripartite Criminal Investigation Department Heads Meeting.
The Police Force continued to send officers on secondment to the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France, and its Regional Liaison Office in Bangkok. Attachment programmes with various overseas law enforcement agencies were also drawn up.
Police Force Search Unit
The first batch of 13 Force Search Unit officers graduated with 'Diploma in Police Search and Venue Security' in the year. The programme was accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation for Academic and Vocational Qualification at Level 3 of the Qualifications Framework.
Police Dogs
There were 113 dogs in the Police Dog Unit at year-end, assisting the police in detecting and preventing crime. During the year, police dog handlers, together with. their canine partners, arrested 712 criminals.
In supporting the fight against drug abuse, nine passive alert dogs were trained and deployed in 2010 followed by another six in 2011. The 15 dogs assisted in detection of 32 drug cases.
Custody management and Detention
The Police Force is aware of people's human rights including those people in police custody. In 2008, the Police Force launched a full review of custodial management and detention. In February 2011, it embarked on a $12 million project to standardise all 33 police detention facilities and to make them safer and more. hygienic for the detainees as well as the police staff.
Police Licensing Office
The Police Licensing Office participates in various government business. facilitation and licensing improvement initiatives. During the year, the office processed 63 923 security personnel permit applications, 122 massage establishment licence applications, 220 pawnbroker licence applications and 3 833 liquor licence applications.
Marine Region
A 'Versatile Maritime Policing Response' strategy was fully implemented in 2011. It involves the strategic deployment of the marine regional fleet of 123 craft which resulted in the arrest of 908 illegal immigrants and the rescue of 29 people in Hong Kong waters in 2011.
During the year, 27 high-power speedboats used by smugglers were confiscated and contraband worth $58 million was seized.