Police-1968-1969 — Page 52

191. The Police Driving School was moved to the Auxiliary Police Headquarters on Hong Kong Island in October, 1968, and now includes in its curriculum an Advanced Drivers Course which has produced 40 advanced drivers for 999 and Traffic patrol cars. 305 students passed out of the school during the year.

HONG KONG AUXILIARY POLICE FORCE

192. The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force consists of volunteers who are required to perform a minimum of eight hours per month and 14 days per year. Their duties are to augment the Regular Force both day to day and in times of emergency.

193. The Force is under the command of the Commissioner, who has a staff of regular police officers attached to the Auxiliary Police for administrative and training purposes. The establishment of the Auxiliary Police Force is 3,872 and the strength 3,278.

194. During the year five new Auxiliary Units were formed. These were the Yuen Long Division, the Islands Division (Lantau Island and Cheung Chau), an Emergency Unit in Kowloon and two Special Duty Companies, one in Hong Kong Island and one in Kowloon.

195. Auxiliary Police are normally attached to a Regular Division in an Emergency Unit, but they also provide specialist units such as the Special Duty Companies which are responsible for the escorting of fire engines, ambulances, etc., and the Air Observer Squadron, which supplies observers for the Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. Members of the Auxiliary Marine Division are trained to take charge of Police harbour and sector launches.

196. During the year, three officers were awarded the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service, one received His Excellency the Governor's Commendation and 32 officers received Commanding Officers' Commendations. In addition, 89 officers received the Colonial Special Constabulary Medal for long service.

197. Since June, 1968 the Auxiliary Force have been providing approximately 30 men per day to escort and guard explosives in transit to and at quarries, and during the Chinese New Year period (1st - 21st February, 1969) provided 500 men per day to strengthen Regular duties in a successful attempt to reduce that period's high crime rate.

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