TNAG-0815-FCO40-1021-Visit-of-police-advisers-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 111

布政司署

香港下亞畢道

SECRET

**** OUR REF.: SCR 6/2801/77 S.F.G.

* Your Ref.:

Haste 387

25

34

OVERNMENT SECRETARIAT RECEIVED IN LOWER ALBERT ROAD

27 FEB HONG KONG

DIS 30 January, 1978 INDER 14 February

PERSONAL

لا

Mion Taken

Rempren

JAB Stewart Esq OBE

Hong Kong & General Department

F CO

Recking

6/3. We spoke.

THE POLICE

Tushed it I could see h

Grane, was

cuyting dene?

Jak

Jim

The team of 3 special police advisers has now been here for almost a month. During that time they have had extensive discussions within the Force. They have also met others concerned with police matters, such as some of the unofficial members of Executive and Legislative Councils. Crane returns to London for four weeks on the 15th. The other two members of the team will remain here and complete the group's preliminary studies before Crane's return. In addition to their various visits and discussions within the Force, there have been several meetings at Government House, chaired by the Governor.

2.

The most recent meeting was held yesterday and discussed progress to date. I will not bother you with a blow by blow account. Sufficient to say that, together with the Commissioner of Police, the team have identified certain areas which will need particular attention. One is training. Crane and his team were impressed by the Police Training School but also struck by the fact that, because of recent expansion of the Force, it is operating at about twice the capacity originally envisaged. Recruiting is likely to continue at a high level over the next five years. A great deal of in-service training will also be needed. There will clearly be a need to expand the facilities of the school. This will be done. Another area for improvement is the Police Public Relations Bureau. There are already plans afoot for personnel changes in the very near future which will, we hope, improve matters. Further thought, followed by action, is also needed on a number of other matters, such as communications within the police (as well as between police and government); the need to strengthen the handling of complaints against the police; and relationships between the uniformed branch and CID. All these things will take time.

3.

When Crane leaves tomorrow, the press announcement will concentrate on what he has been doing to date. So far as

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