ENG-1990 — Page 316

PUBLIC ORDER

Licensing and Societies Registration

The number of applications for licences, permits and registrations, for which the Commissioner of Police is the authority, continued to increase steadily.

During the year the Registrar of Societies registered 204 societies, exempted 42 from the requirement to be registered and cancelled the registrations and exemptions of 93, usually because they had become defunct. At year's end 62 applications under the Societies Ordinance were being processed.

An average of 1 500 applications were received each month for registration as watchmen and at the end of the year 96 957 watchmen were registered with 1012 of these being licensed to carry arms. New legislation to control security guards and intruder alarms will become effective in 1991, after employers have had time to adjust to the new requirements.

Police Dog Unit

The Police Dog Unit is based at the former Ping Shan police station in the New Territories where basic, advanced and refresher training courses are held. Dogs and their handlers are deployed territory-wide on general patrol, tracking and drug detection duties.

The first phase of a four-year expansion programme began in 1990 to increase the size and role of the unit to meet new demands.

In addition to an enhanced ‘on-street' commitment, dogs and handlers will be selected and trained for border duty and arms and explosives detection, tasks currently undertaken by the British Garrison.

Personnel

At the end of the year, the force establishment totalled 27 578 disciplined posts, an increase of 128 over the 1989 figure. The civilian staff establishment stood at 5 923, representing 17.6 per cent of the overall establishment.

During 1990, 5 709 applications were received for the post of constable, with 862 of the applicants being appointed. This year saw the final intake of graduates from the Police Cadet School which was closed in March.

With regard to the recruitment of inspectors, 60 local candidates were appointed from among 1 195 applicants, while 53 overseas officers were taken on strength during the same period. In addition, 66 officers were promoted to inspector from the junior ranks.

It was a difficult year for police recruitment, particularly for the constable rank. There were shortfalls of 14 inspectors and 1 165 constables in the target intakes for the year. The premature wastage of police officers, especially among the junior ranks, also continued to be a matter of great concern.

Promotions

Promotion prospects in the force remain excellent at most levels. During the year, 10 gazetted officers were promoted to senior superintendent and above, 26 chief inspectors to superintendent, 65 senior inspectors to chief inspector, 98 sergeants to station sergeant and 446 constables to sergeant. In addition 20 exceptionally-experienced station sergeants were also advanced to the rank of inspector.

Exchange Scheme

The year saw the commencement of the fifth round of the Superintendent of Police Exchange Scheme between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Under this scheme,

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