XN000022-1983-04-13 — Page 17

16

-

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

OUTDATED LAWS REMOVED FROM STATUTES BOOKS, AG SAYS

*****

THE GOVERNMENT IS ALERT TO THE NEED TO KEEP THE TOTAL BODY OF THE CRIMINAL LAW UNDER REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT THOSE PARTS OF THE LAW THAT HAVE OUTLIVED THEIR USEFULNESS ARE REMOVED FROM THE STATUTE BOOK.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JOHN GRIFFITHS, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS BY THE HON LO TAK-SHING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR GRIFFITHS ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE POLICE FORCE IS THE PRINCIPAL AGENCY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HONG KONG.

+ THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE MONITORS ENFORCEMENT REQUIREMENTS AND DEPLOYS HIS RESOURCES AS APPROPRIATE TO MEET PARTICULAR PROBLEMS AT PARTICULAR POINTS IN TIME.

+THIS MONITORING TAKES PLACE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE COMMISSIONER'S DIRECTIVE TO HIS SENIOR POLICE COMMANDERS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICIES AND PRIORITIES. THE DIRECTIVES ARE RE-EXAMINED ANNUALLY TO DETERMINE LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICIES AND PRIORITIES, + HE SAID.

+THE MOST RECENT DIRECTIVE ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 25 THIS YEAR SETS OUT THE BASIC POLICIES AS THEY RELATE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AS FOLLOWS:

(A) TO ENSURE AN APPROPRIATE POLICE PRESENCE THROUGHOUT

HONG KONG:

(B) TO ADMINISTER AND MANAGE POLICE MANPOWER AND OTHER

RESOURCES TO ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE RETURN FROM SUCH RESOURCES;

(C) TO CULTIVATE AND DEVELOP PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE

FORCE IN THE EXECUTION OF ITS DUTIES.

MR GRIFFITHS SAID THE DIRECTIVE LISTED THE PRIORITIES OF THE FORCE AND THE FIRST PRIORITY WAS THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF CRIME.

+ IN TERMS, THE DIRECTIVE REQUIRES SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS TO KEEP THESE POLÍCIES AND PRIORITIES UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW AND SUPERVISION. THE COMMISSIONER MONITORS THE POSITION CONSTANTLY AND REPORTS THE SITUATION MONTHLY TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, HE DECIDES HOW AND WHERE AND WITH WHAT PRIORITY AND IN WHICH AREA OF CRIME TO DEPLOY POLICE RESOURCES,+ MR GRIFFITHS SAID.

SOME OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO HAD RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ENFORCING ORDINANCES AND HERE, TOO, THERE WAS A CONSTANT MONITORING OF THE LAW AND ITS ENFORCEMENT BOTH AT A DEPARTMENTAL AND BRANCH LEVEL, MR GRIFFITHS SAID.

/17