In addition to this, part of the formal training of Police officers is devoted to public relations. This is essential particularly in the early stages of a young constable's career, because much of his training has to be aggressive in nature: the armed Police officer well trained in riot drill is at first sight incompatible with the role of general counsellor. But the two main functions of the Police expressed in this seeming con- tradiction are regularly emphasized in training and day-to-day super- vision to use force if necessary to prevent violence and crime, and, on the other hand, to use tolerance and understanding to assist the law- abiding in the day-to-day problems of their lives.
3. Because their activity comes under close general public scrutiny, the staff of the Traffic Office are also important upholders of public respect for the Force as a whole. The traffic problems created by the concentration of vehicles and pedestrians on roads which were never designed for such numbers cannot escape general public notice. Moreover the car-owning section of Hong Kong society is in general the more articulate, and criticism and not infrequently praise are readily expressed both privately and in the press. This problem is exemplified by the 15,007 traffic accidents which occurred during the year and the resultant casualties, 206 deaths and 1,917 persons seriously injured.
4. The expansion of Hong Kong's society in all its different forms makes the importance of public confidence in the Police Force more and more significant. The ability of the Police in its day-to-day work and the conscious co-operation of the public are an essential ingredient in Hong Kong's continued prosperity.
IMPORTANT PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE POLICE
5. The two main problems for the Force have been recruitment and wastage of manpower and a rise in the number of serious crimes committed.
6. The lack of suitable young men and women coming forward to join the Force as Constables was mentioned in the 1960-61 Report. This situation has worsened. The reason is partly because the age group from which recruits are drawn (18-25 years) is comparatively small and the majority of them are attracted to other jobs in commerce and industry and in other Government Departments. The number of applica- tions for appointment as Constable received during the year was 4,496 which compared unfavourably with the 8,151 applications received
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