ENG-1959 — Page 267

THE COURTS, POLICE, PRISONS AND RECORDS

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The buildings are very austere with the exception of a number of new class rooms and the Recruit Probationary Sub-Inspectors' Quarters which have recently been built. The site offers great possibilities for development and plans are now in preparation for the building of new premises.

Overseas Probationary Sub-Inspectors, who are recruited in the United Kingdom by the Crown Agents and also in the Common- wealth, are required to be single, between the ages of twenty and twenty seven years, not less than five feet and eight inches in height, of good physique and of good general education.

Local Probationary Sub-Inspectors are selected locally by a Board consisting of the Deputy Commissioner and the Com- mandant, Police Training School. They are required to be between the ages of twenty and twenty five years, not less than five feet six inches in height, of good physique and to have educational qualifications to the standard of the Hong Kong School Certificate.

Recruit Constables are selected by the Commandant, Police Training School from applicants between eighteen and twenty five years of age. They are required to be not less than five feet five inches in height, of good physique and able to read and write Chinese fluently.

Probationary Sub-Inspectors and recruit Constables on first appointment are posted to the Police Training School where they receive a six months course of instruction. The syllabus covers a wide field and includes law and legal principles, court procedure, police regulations and duties, physical training, first aid and local and general knowledge. Apart from women officers all are addi- tionally required to become proficient in the handling of various weapons and in riot drill. During this period Overseas Officers commence the study of Cantonese, and recruit constables com- mence the study of English. The Marine Police are given special instruction in seamanship, port regulations and signalling.

At the end of their initial course, Recruit Probationary Sub- Inspectors are required to undergo a further two years of theo- retical and practical training at Divisions, under the supervision of the Force Training Officers.

During the year forty eight overseas and four local Sub- Inspectors were recruited directly into the Force. Of these overseas