ENG-1980 — Page 181

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PUBLIC ORDER

The Fight Crime Committee oversees the annual Fight Crime Publicity Campaign and its members frequently participate in publicity and promotional activities organised by the police force Public Relations Wing and the Information Services Department. The com- mittee also undertakes an on-going review of territory-wide street lighting facilities to ensure the best available resources are directed towards eliminating unlit paths and street- corners, and other crime blackspots.

At the district level, a network of District Fight Crime Committees promote frequent contact between the police and members of the public. Both official and unofficial members of these committees are actively involved in the planning, co-ordination and monitoring of crime-fighting activities at the local level. While the district police representatives make a point of keeping the committees will briefed on district crime statistics, the committee members' perspective on local conditions and problems is, in turn, of assistance to the police in combating crime.

District Fight Crime Committees channel their views-to the central Fight Crime Com- mittee by the submission of quarterly reports which are discussed at the central forum.

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Recruitment and Personnel

By the end of 1980 the establishment of the force had risen to 26,180, an increase of 1,430 over the corresponding figure in 1979. In addition, the force had an establishment of 4,260 civilians, representing 16.3 per cent of the overall establishment.

Despite the raising of the minimum educational standards for constables, the number of applications to enter the force stood at 5,565. Of these, 72.9 per cent met the required physical and educational standards and 1,621 constables, including 60 women constables, were taken on strength during the year.

The 179 officers appointed to the inspectorate came from three major sources. Officers from overseas (principally the United Kingdom) numbered 54, while 51 local applicants were appointed directly to the inspectorate and 74 officers were promoted from the junior ranks.

A new scheme introduced during the year provides an opportunity for exceptionally experienced and capable station sergeants, who do not possess a certificate of proficiency in English, to be promoted to the rank of inspector. In this way, six station sergeants were promoted in 1980 after being recommended by their commanders and selected by a Force Promotion Board. From now on, the board will sit annually to select further suitable officers.

Training

The Police Training School, situated at Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, continued to provide a 20-week basic training course for police constables and a 36-week course for recruit inspectors. Instruction covers criminal law, police procedures, leadership training, court procedures, physical training, first aid, weapon training and drill. Overseas officers also attend an eight-week course in colloquial Cantonese.

In addition to basic training, the school runs training courses for serving junior police officers and newly-promoted NCO's to up-date their knowledge on new legislation and to prepare officers for higher rank. Courses are also conducted for newly-recruited traffic wardens and there are specialised traffic courses for serving officers.

A District Continuation Training Scheme operates from centres in each of the four police districts. It provides additional training for constables in their first two years of service