ENG-1974 — Page 165

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Communications and Transport Branch

PUBLIC ORDER

The Communications and Transport Branch plans, installs, commissions and maintains for the force a sophisticated communications network which consists of radio installations, a comprehensive computer controlled teleprinter system, a telephone network, radar installations and a variety of electronic equipment. It also manages a transport fleet of 1,114 vehicles, a driver establishment of 1,249 and a driving school where all police drivers are trained and tested.

During the year 1,619 radios and 24 radar installations were in operation. There are 33 main radio systems, six territory-wide and 27 district networks.

Of the 12 projects put in hand during the year, the most significant was a beat radio scheme aimed at providing all policemen on urban beats with portable radios. The scheme is in an advanced stage of planning and introduction of the first phase is expected in late 1975.

The force PABX telephone network was commissioned during the year and now all major units have their own exchanges which are inter-connected by tie-lines.

Police Training School

All police inspectors and constables on first appointment undergo basic training courses of 27 and 26 weeks respectively at the Police Training School, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen. Instruction includes criminal law, police procedures, court proce- dures, physical training, first-aid, weapon training and drill. Following the trend of the police in Britain, the syllabus was revised during the latter part of the year to give greater emphasis to functional leadership and on-the-job training. A campsite on Tsing Yi Island was acquired for this purpose. With the completion of the language laboratory, the school has now taken over from the training unit of the Colonial Secretariat the task of providing an intensive Cantonese course for overseas officers.

Apart from basic training, the school also conducts in-service, continuation and advanced training courses for serving officers. The aim of these is to refresh and bring police officers up-to-date and to develop their leadership and management qualities, particularly in the case of recently promoted police officers. During the year, 894 police officers attended these courses. When the latest expansion to the school is completed in early 1975, the additional facilities provided will enable a greater number of police officers to be trained each year.

The Police Training School also held one police service course for 28 boys and girls aged between 14 and 20 as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

Police Cadet School

A long-term investment for the future is how the Royal Hong Kong Police Force looks

upon the Police Cadet School which opened at Fan Gardens in September 1973.

It is hoped that eventually the majority of Hong Kong's police constables will pass through the PCS and the school will be meeting the majority recruitment needs of the force.

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