and house-collapses. Assistance was also given to the many welfare organizations who performed relief work for distressed and homeless victims whose number exceeded 4,000.
27. A number of serious fires during the dry season resulted in more than six thousand persons being rendered homeless.
28. There were two village disputes in the rural New Territories in which it became necessary for the Police to intervene.
COST OF THE FORCE
29. The cost of maintaining the Police Force during the year was $53,659,278. The cost per head of population was $18.38 based upon the current estimate of the population of the Colony as 2,919,000.
PART II
ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
THE CHAIN OF COMMAND
30. The Commissioner of Police commands the Force, assisted by a Deputy Commissioner. An Assistant Commissioner, who performs the duty of Chief Staff Officer to the Commissioner, commands Colony Headquarters and the remainder of the Force is divided in three territorial districts and a number of specialist branches.
HEADQUARTERS
31. Under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner Headquarters, a number of Staff Officers are responsible for the central administration, planning, finance, personnel and welfare of the Force. The civilian staff of the Force, whose number exceeds twelve hundred, come under the general control of the Administrative Secretary, an administrative officer whose status is equivalent to that of an Assistant Commissioner.
TERRITORIAL DISTRICTS
32. Responsibility for the routine policing of the Colony is divided among the Assistant Commissioners who command the three territorial districts of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the rural New Territories. The officer who commands the latter district is also responsible for the Marine Police. Each district comprises a number of Divisions which in turn are divided into sub-divisions and further into police posts.
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