ENG-1992 — Page 308

PUBLIC ORDER

An average of 3 000 people applied for registration as watchmen every month. At the end of the year 20 000 watchmen were registered, with 1000 of them licensed to carry arms.

A total of 1700 persons were licensed to possess arms for competition or target shooting, and 180 persons applied for arms licences throughout the year.

At the end of the year, 725 notifications of public meetings were processed. 300 licences for public processions, 826 loudspeakers and 959 lion dance permits were issued.

A total of 183 applications for massage establishment licences, 148 applications for auctioneer licences, 270 applications for marine store dealer licences, 159 applications for pawnbroker licences and 46 applications for temporary liquor licences were processed within the year.

Police Dog Unit

The Police Dog Unit was founded in 1949 and its headquarters at the former Ping Shan Police Station in the New Territories established in 1965. Basic, assessment, refresher training courses, breeding and all veterinary support functions are carried out at the headquarters. On completion of their training, handlers and their dogs are posted to various formations. The unit is expanding its areas of expertise to include explosives search capability.

Complaints Against Police

The Complaints Against Police Office investigates all complaints from the public con- cerning the conduct and behaviour of members of the Force, including civilian staff and auxiliary police officers. The investigation of all complaints against police is monitored by the independent Police Complaints Committee.

In 1992, 3 250 complaints were received, an increase of 96 cases or 3.0 per cent over 1991. Over 98 per cent of the complaints in 1992 were made by persons either involved with or subjected to police action. Complaints of assault, neglect of duty and conduct/manner made up the majority of the complaints, 79 per cent in the total. Investigations into 3 102 cases were completed, of which 64 cases (2.1 per cent) were substantiated, 20 cases (0.6 per cent) classified as false, and 2 116 cases (68.2 per cent) were either withdrawn or not persuable. A total of 391 cases were dealt with by way of the new Informal Resolution Scheme introduced force-wide at the beginning of 1992. These represented 12 per cent of all complaints. A total of 13 police officers were disciplined and five charged with offences as a result of the complaints. In addition, 219 officers were subject to corrective action.

The Complaints Against Police Office is also responsible for advising Force members on how complaints can be prevented. Throughout the year lectures and seminars on complaint prevention continued to be organised for junior police officers with the aim of improving public relations and reducing situations of conflict.

Personnel and Recruitment

At December 31, 1992, the Force establishment totalled 27 206 and 5 820 for disciplined and civilian staff respectively.

With regard to the recruitment of inspectors, 28 local candidates were appointed from 1 169 applicants, while 20 overseas officers were taken on strength during the same period. In addition, 38 junior police officers were promoted to inspectors.

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