CONFIDENTI AL
BACKGROUND NOTE
THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
1. Since the Minister last spoke to the Governor, a three-man team, led by Kr James Crane, one of HM Inspectors of Constabulary, has arrived in Hong Kong at the Governor's invitation to carry out an investigation into the organization and state of morale in the
RHKPF, following last autum's disturbances. The Minister of State mot Mr Crane on 6 March and heard from him of the state of his
investigation. Preliminary indications are that they will be recommending a number of changes, including a strengthening of the
middle ranks of the Force.
THE JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION
2. The JPOA was established in response to the complaint last autumn by the rank and file that there was no officially-recognized body to represent their interests, has recently completed the election of its 18-man Executive Committee. An extremist element within the
Association would like to use it to bring pressure to bear on the Hong Kong Government to drop their cases against policeman accused of corruption. The more moderate members would like the Association to concentrate instead on seeking improved terms of service for the membership as a whole. It is not yet clear which element will come out on top; the Minister recently sent a telegram to the Governor assuring him of our unqualified support in resisting any attempts by the JPOA to incite their members to illegal actions. The Minister may care to reiterate this assurance.
3. The crucial trial of strength between the Government and the JPOA may come over the Yau Ma Tei corruption case. Some 140 police officers attached to the Yau Ma Tei police station are suspected of corruptly receiving money in return for tolerating the operation of a druge distribution centre in their district. Since it is impractical to prosecute all 140, the Government have proposed
CONFIDENTIAL
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