ENG-1995 — Page 329

PUBLIC ORDER

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Police Licensing Office

The Commissioner of Police, through the Police Licensing Office, is the Licensing Authority for various licences and permits. As the Societies Officer, he also accepts notification of the establishment of local societies.

In 1995, a total of 1 112 notifications of public meetings, 401 applications for public procession licences and 895 applications for lion dance permits were received. The office also processed 31 applications for massage establishment licences, four applications for pawnbroker licences and 90 applications for temporary liquor licences. The office ceased to issue loudspeaker permits on June 6 and the total number of applications dropped to 964.

During the year, 1 099 societies notified the Societies Officer of their establishment and 622 societies were dissolved. At the year's end, a total of 6 579 societies had provided notification of their establishment.

In 1995, 28 781 persons applied to register as watchmen; 22 382 permits were granted and 1 438 of them were granted arms licences. At the year's end, a total of 163 589 watchmen were registered. A total of 183 persons applied to possess firearms for competition or target shooting.

In the first three months of 1995, 14 auctioneer licences were issued and there was no application for marine store dealer licences. In April, both licences were repealed.

Police Dog Unit

Formed in 1949, the Police Dog Unit is now accommodated in purpose-built accommodation within Queen's Hill Camp, Fanling, which provides a full range of support services including veterinary care and breeding facilities. All dog-handlers are volunteers and each is expected to remain with the unit for the working life of the dog he or she is assigned. Overseas training is provided to enhance acquired skills in both dog-handling and instruction.

During the year, some 90 dogs were deployed in duties such as drug detection, tracking, searches for explosives and firearms, and street patrols. Projects have been initiated to evaluate the future use of dogs in emergency response vehicles and on border duties.

Recruitment

A total of 3 045 applications for inspector were received in 1995, an increase of 98.6 per cent compared with the 1533 in 1994. In all, 112 officers were appointed as inspectors, of whom 89 were direct-entry officers, and 23 were promoted from the ranks.

A further 13 227 applications were received for the position of constable, compared with 8 322 in 1994, and 975 recruits were taken on. The encouraging recruitment results and declining wastage rate meant the strength of the Force improved and stood at 27 533 disciplined and 5 873 civilian staff, against an establishment of 27 551 and 6 113, respectively.

Civilian Staff

Civilians play a vital role in the Force and have a wide variety of duties. The civilian establishment in the Force consists of 59 grades, of which 30 are General Grades