CO129-591-8 Policy directives 10-3-1944 - 17-8-1944 — Page 128

Hong Kong

CIVIC AFFAIRS POLICY

HONG KONG DIRECTIVES

127

FIRST DRAFT.

6

POLICE.

The Police Department was a self-contained department

charged with the prevention and detection of crime; it was equipped

with the usual sub-branches e.g. special, detective, traffic, water

police etc; special units were maintained in reserve for

emergencies; it was assisted by a Police reserve and also was

responsible for the provision of Anti-Piracy guards.

2.

On re-occupation the Commissioner of Police will be

responsible, in addition to the above, for the administration of

the Prisons Department; for the control of immigration to such extent

as may be decided by Government; for the control of dangerous drugs,

which will include opium; and for civil defence measures.

3. In the first instance all uniformed ranks will be available

for duty in the regular police or the above mentioned sub-departments.

4. Otherwise, generally speaking, the Police Department wilł

be reconstituted on the same lines as in pre-war days.

5. Apart from the recognised crime preventive and detective

duties immediate steps will be taken to obtain control of all

firearms, and to suppress trafficking in drugs, including opium.

6. Liaison must be established with the Canton Police, and,

if practicable, with Chungking and Shanghai, and especially with

the Police administrations of the Straits Settlements and the

Philippines. There must be full realisation that many of the

problems of present day police work cannot be treated parochially.

7. Certain legislation of a penal nature exempts Chinese from

the mischief of its provisions, and recommendations to the Government

will be required as to which, if any, of these exemptions should be

retained.

8. The pre-war Police included in its cadre 277 posts for

officers of the Inspector grade. In the interests of economy and

subject to the requirements of security the possibility must be

/carefully