Police-1967-1968 — Page 13

a Police Education Fund, designed to help to provide for the education of the children of policemen, was opened. Public response was over- whelming and more than $2.7 million was contributed within a short space of time. An Ordinance known as the Police Children's Education Trust Ordinance 1967, providing for the due administration of this Fund, was passed in the Legislative Council on 29th November.

Police Education and Welfare Trust

15. In addition to the $2.7 million raised by public donations, a grant of $1 million was made by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club to be used for the welfare of members of both the Regular and Auxiliary Police Forces and for the education of their children. An Ordinance providing for the due administration of this Fund was also passed by the Legislative Council on 29th November.

Police Public Information Bureau

16. The Police Public Information Bureau, which opened on 11th March 1968, took over most of the functions formerly carried out by the Information Services Department on behalf of the Force. It had long been recognized that it was to the advantage both of the Police and of the community that there should be the widest possible under- standing of the Force and its doings. As a first step towards achieving this aim an officer of the Information Services Department was posted to Police Headquarters in 1965. However, it became apparent that one man alone could not adequately undertake the task of explaining the Police to the Public and it was therefore decided to establish the Police Force's own Public Relations Office, known as the Police Public Information Bureau.

17. The Bureau is commanded by a Chief Superintendent and staffed by seven Police Officers and two Officers seconded from the Information Services Department.

The Role of the Bureau is:

(a) To supply information to press, radio and television;

(b) To deal with all aspects of police public relations with the

object of:

(i) fostering good relations between the Force and the public

at all levels, and

(ii) maintaining confidence in the Police Force.

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