ENG-1981 — Page 190

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PUBLIC ORDER

lighting facilities to ensure the best available resources were directed towards eliminating unlit paths and other crime blackspots.

At district level, a network of divisional Fight Crime committees promoted frequent contact between the police and the public. While the police representatives made a point of keeping the committees well briefed on local crime statistics, the committee members' perspective on local conditions and problems was, in turn, of assistance to the police in combating crime.

Recruitment and Personnel

By the end of 1981 the establishment of the force had risen to 22 514, an increase of 533 over the

corresponding figure in 1980. In addition, the force had an establishment of 4 554 civilians, representing 177 per cent of the overall establishment.

Notwithstanding raised academic requirements for constables, the number of applica- tions to join the force increased to 7 048. Of these, 74 per cent met the required physical and educational standards and 1 692, including 89 women, were taken on during the year.

The 186 officers appointed to the inspectorate came from three major sources: 52 local applicants were appointed directly, 68 officers were promoted from the junior ranks and 66 were recruited overseas, principally in the United Kingdom.

Promotion prospects in the force remain extremely good at all levels. During the year, 23 chief inspectors were promoted to superintendent, 66 senior inspectors to chief inspector, 99 sergeants to station sergeant, and 368 constables to sergeant. In addition, 81 junior police officers were promoted to inspector through the force's Potential Officer Selection Scheme - introduced in 1980 – and 13 exceptionally experienced station sergeants were also promoted to inspector.

Training

The Police Training School at Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, which provides basic training for police inspectorate and junior officer recruits and traffic wardens, is being expanded to meet increasing needs. Recruit inspectors undergo a 28-week course and recruit constables a 20-week course, which covers criminal law, police and court procedures, drill and musketry, first aid and physical exercise. Overseas inspectors also attend an eight-week course in colloquial Cantonese. Recruit traffic wardens undergo a similar six-week course covering legislation and procedures related to traffic matters.

Apart from basic training, the school provides in-service training for serving junior police officers, newly promoted NCOs and specialised traffic personnel. These courses are designed to up-date officers on new legislation and to prepare them for a higher rank.

A 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 after passing out from the Police Training School and involves class attendance for two consecu- tive days each month. This scheme supplements the constables' practical knowledge and also prepares them for promotion examinations, which they may take after three years' service. The Detective Training Wing of the Police Training School continued to hold 12-week main training courses throughout 1981 at its new premises at Kai Tak. Four main courses were held with 26 inspectorate, 20 sergeants and 80 to 100 detective constables attending each course. Preliminary courses of four weeks duration for Uniform Branch inspectorate officers with CID potential have proved very successful. Officers from other government departments, in particular from the Immigration Department and Customs and Excise Service, attended each main course.