ENG-1960 — Page 240

190

LAW, ORDER AND RECORDS

Commissioner of Police, in which he stressed the special respon- sibility of Police, both collectively and individually, for eradicating the narcotic menace. Police action against corruption is, of course, part of a wider campaign which the Government is conducting, and in this connexion the Governor reconstituted the existing Standing Advisory Committee during the course of the year, en- larging its membership to include unofficial members of Legislative Council, with the Attorney General as Chairman (later to be succeeded by an unofficial member of Executive Council). The Deputy Commissioner of Police is a member of this Committee.

Illegal immigration continues to be a serious problem. With a coastline of about 400 miles and 235 small islands, a very large expansion of the Marine Police Fleet would be necessary to achieve success in the prevention of illegal entry. Nevertheless, the existing fleet, with the limited number of patrol vessels which can put to sea at any one time, had some success against boats carrying illegal immigrants.

The year showed no decline in the pace of building development, and in the growth of new residential, commercial, industrial and resettlement buildings requiring the re-deployment of police man- power. The Force has a Seven Year Expansion Plan phased, as far as possible, to meet the needs of new urban areas; but it is not always possible to complete and staff new stations at the time of the opening, for instance, of a resettlement estate of 60,000 people.

This is some of the background against which the Hong Kong Police Force works: a background which is stimulating and vital and demands a ceaseless review of organization and methods in order to meet the increasing calls made upon the Force.

Establishment and Organization. The Force has an establish- ment of 88 Gazetted Officers, 693 Inspectors and 7,352 Non- Commissioned Officers and Police Constables. These include an establishment of Women Police consisting of 1 Gazetted Officer, 8 Inspectors and 205 Non-Commissioned Officers and Police Con- stables. The Force is commanded by the Commissioner of Police, assisted by a Deputy Commissioner. An Assistant Commissioner, who acts as Chief Staff Officer, is in charge of Colony Head- quarters. He is helped by a number of Staff Officers who are responsible for central administration, planning, finance, personnel and welfare matters. The civilian staff of the Force, whose number

Page 240Page 241