Police-1968-1969 — Page 12

efficiently. A major event to further and improve the police public image was the opening of the Police Public Information Bureau in March 1968.

12. As part of the programme to improve relations between police and public, some 10,000 school children visited police stations through- out the year. In addition, as a new venture, the Force ran a series of six camps for secondary school boys during the summer holidays at which outdoor activities on Outward Bound lines were arranged. It is planned to continue this programme in future years, and to increase the number of participating students.

13. The Hong Kong Police Sports Association operated a scheme to provide organized games sessions for 100 needy children each week and by the end of the year about 3,200 children had participated. The games sessions, which were held under the supervision of men and women police officers, took place every Saturday morning at the H.K.P.S.A. football ground, Boundary Street.

POLICE PUBLIC INFORMATION BUREAU

14. The role of the Police Public Information Bureau is to supply information to the various news media and foster good relations with the public at all levels. The bureau also works in close liaison with the Government Information Services Department.

15. During the year the bureau dealt with 22,814 press queries and issued 3,052 news releases by teleprinter. In addition, 925 radio and television interviews with police officers and 104 press interviews and conferences were arranged.

16. The bureau was also responsible for co-ordinating all Force publicity arrangements and during the year publicity was given to crime prevention and road safety by way of posters and pamphlets. These were produced in liaison with the Government Information Services and the Government Printer. A recruiting poster was also produced, and for the Police Review a new type of programme was adopted in order to provide members of the public with a better understanding of the parade and the Force. A number of exhibitions were planned with the object of showing the day-to-day problems which confront the Force, and how the public can assist the police in dealing with these problems. An exhibition will be held in the City Hall during the first week of April 1969.

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