XN000022-1973-10-17 — Page 80

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Wednesday, October 17, 1973

service, and proposals will be made to Finance Committee in a fortnight's

time.

One of the most significant single contributions that could be

made to increasing the deterrence to crime that the regular police force

provides would be to bring it up to strength. We will do our utmost to

achieve this.

To gain more uniformed officers for the beat a review has been

undertaken of jobs which could be done by civilians. This will be a

gradual, long term process, but 2 or 300 should have been gained in this

way this year, and that process will continue.

Finally, in this field of recruitment, I am glad to say that the

new Police Cadet School has already opened in temporary quarters in Fanling,

and that plans are far advanced for the construction of the permanent school

on Tolo Harbour, which will house about 1200 cadets. This is the beginning

of a project of the greatest interest. Provided it develops along the

right lines it could make a major contribution not only to the quantity but

equally important, or even more important, to the quality of the young

men joining the force.

So much for recruitment.

With regard to police/public relations, the Police took a radical

new look at themselves to consider ways and means of making their facilities and

procedures more convenient to the law-abiding public at the point of contact. Their

reporting procedures were changed to be less time-consuming; the 999 call

system was expanded; new police relations with the public via Area Committees

were created, and the public's views on current police practices sought

/and listened

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