ENG-1950 — Page 89

are recruited whose homes are not necessarily in the Colony, and reliance is also placed on recruiting men from Shantung Province. in North China, the principal reason for this being their superior physique. With a land frontier and a long and difficult coastal frontier including many islands, and with thousands of refugees living on a low margin of existence, the satisfactory state of law and order maintained and the high degree of prevention and detec- tion of crime reflect the greatest credit on the Police Force.

It has been calculated that for only one week during 1950 were the Police free from a state of extraordinary precautions or opera- tions. The upheavals caused by civil war and change of government in China brought to Hong Kong as a place of refuge a large number of unscrupulous men supplied with arms and well versed in their use. The change of government also created frontier problems, amongst which was the gradual disintegration of cooperation between the Chinese and British Police on duty at the frontier. This in its turn made the apprehension of criminals more difficult.

At the end of the year the Police Force strength was 4,164, consisting of 38 gazetted officers, an inspectorate of 386, of whom 238 were expatriates, 510 Shantung police, and 3,228 rank and file, the majority of whom were Cantonese but included a small number of Eurasians and 115 Indians. The Force was relieved of all but strictly police duties by a civilian staff of 768.

The Force consists of a headquarters, and two main branches, one the Uniformed Branch and the other dealing with criminal investigation. The Uniformed Branch operates throughout the Colony which is divided for police purposes into two territorial districts, subdivided into seven divisions. This branch also deals with traffic, communications and marine police work. In addition, there are certain task forces, such as emergency units, waterfront searching units, a Railway Police unit, a hawker squad and village penetration patrols.

The Marine Police has a fleet of 23 vessels ranging from ocean- going tugs to motor-boats, all fitted with radio telephone; close cooperation was maintained during the year with the Royal Navy.

The C.I.D. consists of the Detective Branch and the Special Branch, the former dealing with identifications, records and statistics, forensic laboratory work, commercial crime, corruption and homicide, the Special Branch being responsible for the prevention and detection of all activities subversive to peace and good order, as well as operating the Immigration Department and the Registry of Aliens and approved Societies.

Training and Education

All ranks on engagement undergo a period of training at the Police Training School, six months in the case of locally-recruited inspectorate and three months in the case of the rank and file. The syllabus includes law and police duties, first aid, drill and weapon training, including the use of tear smoke. Concentrated refresher courses are held for n.c.o.'s and there is a special course of training for Marine Police including signalling and seamanship. A total of 853 men passed out of the School during the year.

73