ENG-1980 — Page 183

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PUBLIC ORDER

Special provisions had to be made for policing the Modified Initial System of the Mass Transit Railway System, which was officially opened in February, 1980. The railway traverses eight police divisions - six in Kowloon and two on the Island - and so is provided with a separate division, the MTR Police Division, which started operation in late 1979 and now has an establishment of 137 police officers.

The Airport Division was further strengthened to enhance the security and day-to-day policing of the Hong Kong International Airport at Kai Tak, to cope with the increasing traffic and major structural developments. High-level liaison was maintained with organisa- tions in, and connected with, the aviation industry and security within and outside Hong Kong.

Buildings and Equipment

Approval was obtained for a number of building projects of major importance. Foremost, was the acceptance of a proposal for a new force headquarters building to replace the existing headquarters. When constructed, the new building will also provide a new district headquarters for Hong Kong Island and a new divisional police station for Wan Chai District. Other projects provide for the expansion of the Police Training School, the modernisation of older police stations, improvements to existing canteens and messes and the installation of fitness training rooms at selected police stations. In August, the New Territories Police District Headquarters was moved to the old Sha Tin Police Station building pending the construction of new premises.

The Communications and Transport Branch manages a fleet of 1,490 vehicles (com- prising 999 four-wheel vehicles and 458 motorcycles), and is responsible for the provision, maintenance and development of a highly-sophisticated communications network.

A major consultancy for the telecommunications requirements for policing the Mass Transit Railway was signed and equipment tenders were issued. In addition, a project team began the study and design of a system to provide a joint police-armed services radio communications network for all maritime forces in Hong Kong, and to also have the capability to reach service aircraft and military units.

Further background work continued on major projects such as extensions to the beat radio scheme, however, the major technical planning effort was directed toward replanning and replacing much of the VHF radio networks. Apart from the age and condition of much of the equipment, new standards of radio equipment will be necessary from 1982.

Complaints Against Police Office

Members of the public can register complaints about police procedures or misconduct by police officers through the Complaints Against Police Office, which has premises on both sides of the harbour. The offices monitor all investigations into complaints made against members of the force, and investigates all complaints of misconduct and alleged criminal offences by police officers, except those involving corruption (which are handled by the Independent Commission Against Corruption). During 1980, 2,601 complaints were received, a 13.7 per cent rise over the figure for 1979.

The UMELCO Police Complaints Group continues to review the handling of such com- plaints at its monthly meetings. The group comprises seven Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, the Attorney General and two senior police officers, with the Administrative Secretary of the UMELCO Office and a police officer serving as joint secretaries.