ENG-1986 — Page 249

PUBLIC ORDER

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On Command Training, a greater emphasis was placed on management concepts and the use of human resources.

Command courses are held for inspectorate officers, newly-promoted chief inspectors and superintendents and are designed to develop their supervisory and management skills. Directorate Seminars for officers of chief superintendent rank are held in one-day or two-day sessions throughout the year. These seminars are designed to bring officers up to date on recent professional, political, socio-economic, managerial and technological developments.

To cope with expansion and to provide additional expertise in certain branches of the force, the local universities, polytechnics and management associations are commissioned to arrange special job-related courses for the force, such as radar, navigation, fire-fighting and first aid for the Marine Police and accounting/financial investigation for the Com- mercial Crime Bureau.

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The scholarship scheme for inspectorate officers continued to attract those seeking a university education. Since 1970, when the scheme was introduced, 32 officers have obtained degrees and eight are in the first or second year of their full-time studies.

During the year, 12 inspectorate officers started a part-time course at the City Poly- technic of Hong Kong which will lead to the award of a Higher Diploma in Public and Social Administration.

With regard to overseas training, 38 officers of various ranks attended professional and technical training courses in the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Malaysia and New Zealand.

Police Cadet School

Since its formation in 1973, the establishment of the Police Cadet School has progressively been increased from its original 150 to its present 750. During its 13 years of operation, 3 114 cadets have graduated from the school. Of these, 2 863 joined the police, 40 entered the Fire Services, 75 opted for the Customs and Excise Service and 47 joined the Correctional Services Department.

The two sites on which the school stands - Fan Gardens, Fanling, and Dodwell's Ridge, Sheung Shui - are temporary. It is intended that a purpose-built school will be built within the next few years at Fan Gardens.

Complaints Against Police

The Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) was set up in 1974 to investigate complaints from the public concerning the conduct and behaviour of members of the police force, including civilian staff and auxiliary police officers. Over the years, the number of complaints has increased steadily and, in 1977, the OMELCO Police Group was set up to monitor all complaints. The chairman and members were drawn from the Executive and Legislative Councils and appointed by the Governor. The Attorney-General was a co-opted member.

In 1978, 2 264 complaints were tabled before the group. By 1984 the total had risen to 4 389, indicating both an increased awareness of the system and confidence in the investigative procedures of the police. This confidence has continued and is reflected in the fact that now almost 90 per cent of complaints are made in person, or by telephone, to the three regional CAPO offices or to police stations.

However, by 1984 the rise in complaints had put increased pressure on the members of the group and a Working Party was established to examine methods of reducing this