TNAG-1592-FCO40-2177-Appointment-of-Sir-David-Wilson-as-new-Governor-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 140

GINAHY

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THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE (RHKP)

1.

to

The RHKP, with a strength of 24,000 full-time

full-time and 5,000

effective capability

possess

an

part-time Officers already control internal security (IS) situations.

2.

For IS operations the RHKP have some 33 formed companies (each of 170 men) able to turn out at short notice. By 1991, expansion of the force purely for normal policing purposes will have raised the IS capability to 41 companies. (All policemen receive IS training and are regularly rotated through the Police Tactical Units (PTU) to retain proficiency.) Each of the riot companies form 4 platoons (of 60 men). There are also 72 Light Striking Forces (each of 22 men), 444 patrols (of 8 men) and 5 Special Duty Corps (each of 122 auxiliaries). This means that approximately 10,000 policemen it can be mobilised for IS duties and, by working 12 hr shifts,

the would be possible to deploy 5,000 policemen continuously on streets. This would be in addition to the officers employed on

14 Saracens for RHKP has normal police duties.

situation.

The

use

in an

IS

3.

The number of policemen employed on a daily basis to deal is about 700. The exclusively with illegal immigration (II) work Marine police also operate about 44 boats on daily patrols (out of a total fleet of 100 police vessels). About 80% of illegal immigrants

numbers fluctuate land and, though are apprehended

1,000 about

captured

seasonal basis,

on

I IS are

each

a

on

month.

The

underlying trend is upwards; consequently, despite the additional

fence

economic

increasing.

constructed by

zone

the

the

number

Chinese

of

North

undiscovered

of

the Shenzhen special

IIS in Hong kong

is

4.

Though the police should be able to contain the likely IS

the assistance,

is not same

true of threat without

or expansion border operations. Initial planning suggests that 4 additional PTU companies (each of 175 men) will be required to take over the land border commitment from the Army. Recruiting and training must be

is which

currently accomplished alongside taking place. Nevertheless, it would appear that a partial handover

the

police expansion

could begin in the 1990-92 timeframe.

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