ENG-1991 — Page 305

PUBLIC ORDER

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fund-raising activities by local charitable organisations. The efforts and outstanding performance of JPC members are recognised through an award scheme.

Planning and Development

The year saw the completion of a record number of major new police facilities, including new district police stations at Tsuen Wan, Ma On Shan and Tseung Kwan O, a new waterfront divisional police station in Central District, two new marine bases at Ma Liu Shui near Sha Tin and at Sai Kung and a new Police Driving School at Fanling. The Tseung Kwan O Police Station is also the headquarters for the newly-established Kowloon East Region.

In the meantime, work continued on the Tin Shui Wai Police Station, new facilities for the Police Dog Unit at Ping Shan and two major new quarters projects for junior police officers at Tsing Yi and Fanling.

Planning continued on Phase II of the new Police Headquarters Complex. Construction will start early in 1992.

The construction of the new airport and its related infrastructure in north Lantau will require considerable enhancement of police resources. Planning is in hand to ensure that the police presence in the area keeps pace with demand, both in the future new town and at the airport itself.

Communications

The Enhanced Computer Assisted Command and Control System went live in Hong Kong Island Region in May and in New Territories Region in October 1991. The com- munications elements of the system comprised some 5 700 portables, 280 mobile radios, 160 base stations, 330 receivers, a microwave relay system, and an inter-connected command and control sub-system in each of the land regions and Marine Islands District.

In 1991, the telephone systems of 35 police stations were replaced with the Fixed Communication System. This has a direct dialing-in feature which is more efficient and obviates the need for operator service.

Information Technology

The Information Technology Branch continued to co-ordinate the planning, development and implementation of computer facilities for the Police Force within the framework of the approved Information Technology Strategy.

The year 1991 saw the completion of the first phase in the modernisation of Force Command and Control Systems, giving the force the most up-to-date facilities and equipment. Extensive use of computers demonstrates the force's intention to fully utilise the latest technology in combating crime and maintaining law and order.

During the year, the Finance Committee approved a commitment of $6.991 million for implementing the External Database Enquiry System. This will provide a link between the Enhanced Computer Assisted Command and Control System and the new Vehicle and Driver Licensing Data System maintained by the Transport Department.

The Enhanced Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System and the Computer Assisted Fingerprint Identification System went live in March and May 1991 respectively. Phase II of the Criminal Intelligence Computer System, which is an extension of the current system to provide facilities to the Narcotics Bureau and the Commercial Crime Bureau is scheduled to start operation early in 1992.