ENG-1997 — Page 353

PUBLIC ORDER

be able to accommodate offices presently housed in Caine House and a large portion of leased accommodation. Construction is scheduled to start in early 1999 and be completed in 2002.

Plans are complete for a purpose-built complex at the Detective Training School, to house a new school and a centralised in-service training centre. Building will commence in November 1998 and the project is expected to be completed in mid-2001.

During the year, planning also started for the construction of a purpose-built state-of-the-art tactical weapon training complex in Man Kam To. The project will commence in November 1999 and be completed in October 2002.

A new town is growing in Tin Shui Wai Reserve Zone and a new district headquarters and divisional police station are being built, to be completed in January 2001.

Planning also progressed well for a new vehicle pound and vehicle examination facility to be built at Tai Po and North Lantau. These facilities will enhance the capability of the Traffic Police to enforce legislation regarding the construction and use of vehicles, and enable obstructions to be removed more rapidly from major roads.

The disposal of former military sites occupied by the Force has created a need to plan for replacement facilities. Major facilities affected include the Field Patrol Detachment's Headquarters Depot, Queen's Hill Camp Recreation Centre and 140 Junior Police Officers' Married Quarters.

Two projects are being developed with a view to putting more officers on the beat. The first includes the automation of station security in the use of smart-card access, the installation of automatic barriers and closed circuit television monitoring systems. The second includes installation of an intercom and buzzer system in every police cell, linked to a console beside the duty officer's desk. A pilot scheme is being carried out and a second will start shortly.

A Police Property Steering Group, comprising representatives from the Government Property Agency, the Security Bureau and the Finance Bureau, conducted regular meetings and has so far drawn up a comprehensive property strategy for the six Police Regions, on training facilities and on Junior Police Officers' Married Quarters.

Communications

The 999 hotline service was enhanced with the provision of caller number display to enable a quicker response to emergency calls. The number of operator positions in the 999 centres was also increased. The Force's computer-based directory enquiry system was upgraded to provide a more efficient response to telephone enquiries made to Police Headquarters.

A programme to provide a secure radio system for the Witness Protection Unit and the VIP Protection Unit was completed. The Police Driving School was provided with a dedicated radio system. A quality management system with reference to the International Standard for Quality Assurance (ISO 9002) was successfully implemented.

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