OPERATIONAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Operational support services for the Force, co-ordinated by the Support Wing of Police Headquarters under the direction of the Commander Support, comprise the fol- lowing units:
Operations Branch
Communications and Transport Police Tactical Unit Auxiliary Police Force.
Traffic Headquarters
Support on the ground is provided by a number of self contained units, and a nucleus of combined police and military staff exists which car be rapidly expanded if required to handle any internal security problem or other major emergency.
Operations Branch
The Operations Branch is responsible for the co-ordination of all operational matters, and in particular, matters relating to public order and official visitors to the Force. The regis- tration of Societies and Licensing Office is also under its direct command.
Public Order
The local economy, which in 1976 showed signs of improve- ment after several years of recession, continued its upward trend throughout 1977. This general improvement brought with it a welcome absence of major socio-economic griev- ances likely to spark public disorder.
Nevertheless, 1977 saw a number of minor issues arise, some of which briefly became the focal point of attention for small groups of extremists, eager to capitalise on the publicity to be gained from associating themselves with the misfortunes - real and imagined - of minority groups within the community. Despite the interest shown by these groups, however, no disturbances arose as a result of protests or petitions during the year.
Issues which did arise during the year included demands for rehousing by boat dwellers from the Yaumati typhoon shelter, complaints about unsanitary conditions in older temporary housing areas and protests by individual groups of Government servants over their conditions of service.
Altogether, a total of 97 petitions, excluding those sent by post, were presented at Government House. The petitioners conducted themselves in an orderly manner and police involvement was minimal.
Official Visits to the Force
Official visitors included the Honorary Commandant General of the Force, HRH Princess Alexandra, and the Hon. Angus Ogilvy. Other visitors included Consuls. General, Members of Parliament, military officers, officers from other Police forces, school groups and community organisations.
The highlight of the year was the Royal Visit from February 2, 1977 to February 9, 1977. HRH Princess Alexandra visited the Police Cadet School, viewed JPC activities at Chai Wan, lunched in the Royal Hong Kong
Police Force Gazetted Officers' Mess and attended a tea party with Force families.
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During her visit to Police Headquarters Princess Alexandra
took time out to chat with thrilled administration staff.
A once-in-a-lifetime meeting with a princess.
Societies and Licensing Office
Under the Societies Ordinance, the Commissioner of Police is the Registrar of Societies.
The office is also responsible for all other forms of licensing for which the police are responsible, or in which there is police interest. Police involvement in licensing continued to be the subject of review, with the aim of relinquishing duties and responsibilities which can more appropriately be dealt with by other Government depart-
ments.
At the end of 1976 there were 2,532 registered societies and 407 were exempt from registration under the Ordin- ance. A further 28 were under consideration at that time. In 1977 another 1973 applications were received; 140 groups were registered as societies, 14 societies were granted exemption from registration, and eight applications were withdrawn. There were 38 applications still being
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