ENG-1987 — Page 265

218

Communications

PUBLIC ORDER

Design work is nearing completion for the Integrated Radio Services System, which will replace the existing Beat Radio Scheme, extend portable radio coverage to areas not covered by that scheme, and replace most of the other existing UHF and VHF networks for police officers on foot, in vehicles or deployed in the internal security role. The new system will be implemented with the Command and Control II project which will replace and expand the computer-assisted command and control system. Planning has also commenced on new maintenance arrangements for sophisticated systems which will come into service in the next few years.

For public convenience, specially-designed automatic telephones were installed outside Neighbourhood Police Offices, for use when these offices are not manned.

Transport

11=

The fleet now consists of 1 900 vehicles, including 650 motorcycles. An examination of vehicle types in use is being conducted with a view to greater standardisation. In addition, a computer is used for monitoring the deployment and utilisation of vehicles, and other aspects of fleet management.

Information Technology

Steady expansion continued in the use of computers within the Police Force. The Computer Development Branch has been reorganised and strengthened, with the transfer from the Government Data Processing Agency of a senior assistant data processing manager as head of the branch, with responsibility also for further developing the Police Force's information strategy. The branch has been renamed the Information Technology Branch.

The Personnel and Training Computer System was introduced in July to aid manage- ment in career planning and resources development at inspectorate rank and above. A review, scheduled for early 1988, will determine whether the system should be extended to cover other ranks. New computer systems will also be developed for the maintenance and analysis of statistics at the Complaints Against Police Office, and for handling criminal intelligence. The Information Technology Branch, which has been actively involved in providing data processing support for major crime investigations, is also acquiring an increasing number of microcomputers and word-processors for use by various formations of the police.

Licensing and Societies Registration

Replacement of the existing controls on watchmen with legislation governing all aspects of the security industry is being considered. Proposals to tighten further the controls on imitation firearms in the Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance were not pursued.

The numbers of licence permits and registrations for which the Commissioner of Police is the authority continued to increase steadily. At the end of the year 80 969 watchmen were registered, and 1532 arms licences, 148 massage establishment licences and 608 other licences were in force. There were also 4 193 registered societies and 666 societies exempted from registration.

The Police Force investigates applications for a number of licences issued by the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing and the Urban and Regional Councils. The premises so licensed are supervised by the police. In this category there were 2 812 liquor licensed premises and 819 amusement game centres, besides public dance halls, mahjong schools and billiard saloons.