ENG-1974 — Page 168

PUBLIC ORDER

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With the introduction of the police community relations officer scheme one woman chief inspector is now serving in this capacity in the satellite town of Tsuen Wan.

The year also marked the 25th anniversary of the inception of women police in the force and a short historical commemorative book was published and $22,236 profit was donated to the Community Chest.

Besides day-to-day constabulary duties a number of officers voluntarily assist in the training of St John Ambulance cadets and teaching the handicapped to swim.

Recruitment has continued to attract many young people, with 404 women recruits joining this year. The strength is 1,056 with 24 per cent of the rank and file recognised as English speakers. More than 30 per cent of the strength are married officers.

Marine Police

The Marine Police are responsible for maintaining law and order within Hong Kong waters, an area of about 700 square miles, and for policing the outlying islands. To perform these roles, Marine Police have an establishment of 1,348 police officers and 47 police vessels.

Besides performing police duties, the launches carried 315 sick and injured persons from the outlying islands to hospitals in the urban area.

Also during the year, 7,072 illegal immigrants were arrested by Marine Police. This compares with 1,796 in 1970, 3,694 in 1971, 5,833 in 1972 and 6,139 in 1973.

Independent Commission Against Corruption

In October 1973, it was decided to establish an anti-corruption commission, separate from any government department, with full responsibility for investigating and rooting out corruption. Mr J. Cater, former Secretary for Home Affairs and Information was appointed to head the new commission and Mr J. V. Prendergast, former Director of Special Branch was appointed Deputy Commissioner and Director of Operations. The Independent Commission Against Corruption was established on February 15, by the enactment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance 1974. At the same time, the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance was amended to transfer powers of investigation to the Commissioner.

The Commissioner Against Corruption answers directly to the Governor and is advised by an advisory committee composed largely of private citizens. The commis- sion comprises three functional branches. The operations branch investigates all allegations of corruption and operates a round-the-clock report centre. A corruption prevention branch examines the practices and procedures of government departments and public bodies with a view to eliminating or at least reducing opportunities for corruption. And a community relations branch is charged with enlisting and fostering public support in combatting corruption and educating the public against the evils of corruption. The establishment of the commission is 682 posts. Public advertisements