ENG-2005 — Page 388

334 Public Order

Training Exchange

The Force continued to strive towards enhancing its collaboration with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies through their police training institutes. In September, the Training Wing signed a Memorandum of Agreement on 'Faculty Exchange and Training Partnership' with the Australian Institute of Police Management.

It also launched a Mobile Training Scheme, an initiative for training staff to work alongside various Mainland law enforcement agencies to organise firearms tactics training programmes for their officers.

Recruitment

After the recruitment freeze ended in 2004, there was an upsurge in applications for inspectorate and constable posts. There were 5 770 inspector applications and 9 224 constable applications in 2005, compared to 3 251 and 5 961 in 2004. Thirty- nine inspectors and 573 constables were appointed during the year. The proactive recruitment measures, including the Police Mentorship Programme and Auxiliary Undergraduate Scheme, continued to be well received by undergraduates.

Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force

The establishment of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) stands at about 4 500. In an internal security situation, the auxiliary force will guard strategic and sensitive installations and to man command centres. It also assists in natural disasters and civil emergencies. On a day-to-day basis, the force supports its regular counterparts at large-scale crowd management events and pre-planned operations.

Independent Police Complaints Council

The Independent Police Complaints Council is responsible for monitoring and reviewing investigations of public complaints against the Police Force, which are carried out by the Complaints Against Police Office. The council

is an independent body with members 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 council endorsed the investigation results of 2828 complaint cases, involving 4 695 allegations. The number of lay observers on the council increased to 71. The lay observers attend council interviews and site visits on a scheduled or surprise basis to ensure that investigations are conducted in a thorough and impartial manner.

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 4939 staff. The department also enforces legislation to protect consumer