ENG-1982 — Page 204

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PUBLIC ORDER

The large motor transport fleet was further expanded and modernised as vehicles became due for replacement. At the end of the year, the force had a fleet of 1 666 vehicles, comprising 1 093 four-wheeled vehicles and 573 motor cycles.

In the field of police research, several studies were completed, including an examination of future policing of the electrified Kowloon-Canton Railway and a suggested use of young people as police aides. A good level of co-operation has been established with the Home Office Scientific and Research Branch in the United Kingdom, and the force is able to benefit from the many studies carried out by this organisation.

Complaints Against Police Office

Members of the public can register complaints against police procedures or misconduct by members of the police force through the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO), which monitors all investigations into complaints against the police, and investigates all complaints of serious misconduct and alleged criminal offences by police officers, except those involving corruption which are dealt with by the Independent Commission Against Corruption. The number of complainants, who now make their complaints direct to the police, and in particular to the CAPO office, reflects the greater degree of trust that members of the public have in the investigation process. Plans are in hand to open a branch office in Tsuen Wan during 1983 to supplement the existing offices on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon.

The UMELCO Police Group, set up in 1977, continued to review the handling by police of complaints made against individual members of the force and force procedures. The group, which comprises members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, together with the Attorney General, meets on a monthly basis with senior police officers to consider and discuss completed investigations.

In 1982, 3 495 complaints were received, an increase of 19 per cent over 1981. A total of 55 officers were disciplined and 40 criminally prosecuted as a result of enquiries conducted by CAPO during the year.

Auxiliary Police

The Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force consists of volunteers from all walks of life and has an establishment of 5 435. Its present strength is 5 275. The role of the auxiliary force is to provide support to the regular force in the performance of its day to day duties. and in times of emergency. In 1982, a daily average of 990 auxiliaries reported for duty. Recruitment to the force continued satisfactorily with a total of 634 recruits being taken on during the year.

As in past years, the general efficiency of the force was maintained by scheduled in- service training at the Auxiliary Police Headquarters on Hong Kong Island, at the various auxiliary unit bases and at the Kwai Chung Training Centre.

Customs and Excise Service

After more than 70 years as a branch of the now defederalised Trade Industry and Customs Department, the Customs and Excise Service became an independent department on August 1, 1982. The new department, known as the Customs and Excise Department, embodies both the Customs and Excise Service and the former Trade Controls Branch of the Customs and Controls Department.

The Customs and Excise Service is a disciplined force and has an establishment of 2619 officers of all ranks. The service has a field structure comprising three regions