FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1983
POLICE SUPERVISION SYSTEM MAY BE ENDED
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LEGISLATIVE PROVISION FOR THE POLICE TO SUPERVISE PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CERTAIN CRIMES, SUCH AS FELONY AND COUNTERFEITING, WILL BE SCRAPPED IF A POLICE SUPERVISION (REPEAL) BILL 1983 PUBLISHED TODAY IS ACCEPTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED IN 1922 IN THE POLICE SUPERVISION ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT WAS FELT THAT IT COULD HELP THE POLICE KEEP TRACK OF BAD CHARACTERS AND OBTAIN CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE ORDINANCE WAS REPEALED AND RE-ENACTED IN 1956, PROVIDING ALSO FOR THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO ORDER POLICE SUPERVISION OF PERSONS INSTEAD OF DEPORTATION.
PERSONS UNDER SUPERVISION WERE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO THE POLICE AT CERTAIN TIMES AND TO REMAIN AT THE IR RESIDENCES BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5 AM.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE COURTS HAVE TENDED TO FAVOUR OTHER MORE REHABILITATIVE+ SCHEMES OF SUPERVISION.
IN 1964, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE WERE 1 347 SUPERVISION ORDERS IN FORCE. IN 1980 THERE WERE 99, IN 1981, 82 AND AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, 67.
FURTHERMORE, THE POLICE ARE FINDING THAT THE SUPERVISION ORDERS ARE OF LITTLE VALUE AS A SOURCE OF CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE AND CONSIDER THAT THE IR MANPOWER COULD BE MORE PRODUCTIVELY DEPLOYED IN OTHER AREAS OF CRIME FIGHTING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT IF THE ORDINANCE WAS REPEALED, THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, THROUGH THE IR PROBATIONARY AND AFTER-CARE SERVICES, AND THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT COULD ADEQUATELY FULFIL OTHER USEFUL FUNCTIONS.
THE REPEAL BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 27) AND IS EXPECTED TO PASS ITS COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING ON AUGUST 10.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CAN BE ADDRESSED TO UMELCO AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
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