POLICE DOG UNIT
201. The Police Dog Unit has its headquarters at Pat Heung in the New Territories. It consists of a Senior Inspector in Charge and an establishment of 4 N.C.O's and 32 P.C's. The dog establishment is 35 consisting of 28 patrol dogs, 5 tracker dogs and 2 opium location dogs. At the end of the year there were 32 dogs on strength; 19 Alsatians and 6 Dobermanns for patrol work, 5 Dobermann trackers and 2 cross bred Pointer/Alsatians for opium location.
202. Dogs assisted in a number of cases, particularly those involving breaking and entering. They were also of considerable use during the influx of illegal immigrants from China during May and June when they accompanied border patrols and other police parties engaged in the Frontier area.
203. Six constables attended pharmacy courses at the Hong Kong Dog Company, Royal Military Police, under the supervision of the Army Veterinary Officer. Two police officers from Vietnam were attached to the Police Dog Unit for a period of six months to study the methods of dog-handling, veterinary first-aid and kennel management adopted in the Force.
204. The assistance given to this unit by members of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps has been of considerable value and is much appreciated.
THE POLICE BAND
205. In December 1962 Mr. W. B. FOSTER, M.B.E., A.R.C.M., Director of Music, left his post on retirement. He had served in this capacity since June, 1950. He was responsible for the formation of the Police Band, training of all the instrumentalists and the subsequent high standard of performance and turn out. Before joining the Police Force he had served in the Army from 1918 to 1950 and had been Bandmaster, The Buffs from 1930 to 1950.
260. The Band consists of two sections: a conventional military band of 49 pieces and pipes and drums 20 men strong.
207. Apart from its main function of providing music for police parades both formal and training, the Band has played at 36 public functions which include concerts in the City Hall and public parks, at race meetings, football matches and occasionally at the arrival and departure of large passenger liners.
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