ENG-2001 — Page 402

334

PUBLIC ORDER

Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force

The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) comprises volunteers from all walks of life and has a proud history dating from its establishment in 1914. At December 31, it had some 4 610 members.

The HKAPF is a trained manpower reserve to support the Police Force. It has a role during internal security situations and will perform specific duties to maintain the stability of the community. It is also a reserve to assist in times of natural disasters or civil emergency. Apart from this, the HKAPF's officers are mainly involved in crowd management duties in major public events and festivals and perform other pre-planned duties. During the year, the auxiliary force took part in more than 20 major crowd management operations, each involving some 100 to 500 officers.

Independent Police Complaints Council

The Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the investigations of public complaints against the Police Force, which are carried out by the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO). The IPCC is an independent body comprising members who are appointed by the Chief Executive. It has a chairman, three vice-chairmen and 14 other members. The Ombudsman or her representative serves as an ex officio member.

During the year, the IPCC endorsed the investigation results of 3 540 complaint cases, involving 6 103 allegations. The number of IPCC Lay Observers rose to 59 with the appointment of another 11 Observers. The Lay Observers could attend CAPO interviews and site visits on a scheduled or surprise basis to ensure that investigations were conducted in a thorough and impartial manner. The second three-year publicity programme for the IPCC continued. Activities included a seminar on the police complaints system, talks at secondary schools, and broadcasting of a series of TV episodes on the council's work.

To strengthen public confidence in the independence and impartiality of the IPCC, the Administration planned to reintroduce the Independent Police Complaints Council Bill into the Legislative Council. The bill would provide a statutory basis for the operation of the IPCC and define its function and powers in law. The previous IPCC Bill was introduced into the then Legislative Council in 1996, and was withdrawn by the Administration in June 1997.

Customs and Excise

The Customs and Excise Department is primarily responsible for the collection of revenue on dutiable goods and the prevention of its evasion, the suppression of narcotics trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, the prevention and detection of smuggling, and the protection of intellectual property rights. It has an establishment of 5 217.

The department also enforces legislation to protect consumer interests, safeguard and facilitate legitimate trade and industry, uphold Hong Kong's trading integrity and fulfil international obligations (see also Chapter 6).