Police-1962-1963 — Page 48

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their District Control and can be directed to any incident reported by the police or public. These patrols also deal with incidents as they are encountered and are available to assist beat duty officers. In addition to providing prisoner and cash escorts, the units are also a reserve which can be called upon at all times to deal with unexpected disasters or disorders.

WOMEN POLICE

193. This contingent is commanded by a Woman Assistant Superin- tendent of Police and has an establishment of 343 all ranks. Part of this establishment is attached to the Traffic Office providing two units for the control of metered parking spaces and traffic control during peak periods.

194. The majority of the contingent is engaged on police work connected with women and juveniles but by no means exclusively, for they are available to be called upon by the other branches of the Force as circumstances require.

195. In May, 1962 a number of Women Police were transferred to the Frontier Division to assist with the reception and care in transit of large numbers of women and children who were among the illegal immigrants from China.

196. Parties regularly accompany the St. John Ambulance Brigade when their medical and dental teams visit remote villages on the islands or in the New Territories.

197. Women Police are called for by the Criminal Investigation Department and Special Branch whenever women and children are involved and they are included in police parties despatched to scenes of natural disasters, serious accidents and squatter and other clearances.

198. Their work frequently brings the Women Police in contact with staff of the Social Welfare Department and their training includes instruction in aspects of community, child and other welfare work.

199. Women Recruit Constables under training at the Police Train- ing School work side by side with male recruits. Apart from special social welfare subjects their training syllabus is the same as the men's. 200. Women Constables were awarded the Silver Whistle for the best all round recruit on four occasions during the year.

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