40. The basic police work referred to above includes four main functions:
(a) Beat Duty. The policeman on his beat provides a police presence which in itself limits criminal and anti-social behaviour. More important, it provides an effective and lawful means to deal with criminal or violent action which might occur within the im- mediate area of patrol. The beat policeman also provides an immediate source of advice and information for citizens in need of assistance. Within this range of duty the Uniformed Branch Constable is not confined to any particular branch of police work. He takes immediate action to deal with all situations whether they are routine or emergency.
(b) Report Rooms. These are established in all Police Stations and are centres where members of the public can come to report any incidents affecting them or to seek advice. From these rooms the day-to-day work of the Station is controlled, duties organized, records maintained, arrested persons charged and statements taken. They are usually staffed by eight Uniformed Branch Officers on a shift system.
(c) Crowd Control. The Uniformed Branch provides men at public gatherings of all kinds, to ensure the ordered movement of pedes- trians and motorists and the general maintenance of order, and to render all the services provided by beat duties. Uniformed Branch men also provide the forces needed to deal with unruly and angry crowds, and riot-drill is emphasised in the regular training of Uniformed Branch personnel. In the same way when control or assistance are needed at any kind of natural disaster the men required are provided from the Branch. (d) The Emergency Unit and ‘999' Control Rooms. 19 Patrol Wagons each with a crew of 5 police officers regularly patrol the two urban Districts. They are in radio contact with the District Control Rooms and can be directed to any incident reported to the Controls either by the public or police. The motorised patrols also deal with incidents as they are encountered and are available to assist beat duty officers. The District Control Rooms, also manned by Unifomed Branch personnel deal with all immediate enquires and calls for assistance, many of which are sent through the 999 telephone system. This system is controlled from the two
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