ENG-2006 — Page 380

312 Public Order

The Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau provides quality and efficient forensic firearms examination service to the Hong Kong criminal justice system. It is also responsible for inspecting licensed modified firearms used as props in film productions. The bureau is accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board, an acknowledgement that reflects the bureau's integrity and service quality.

Liaison

In 2006, the Interpol China National Central Bureau won the bid to host the 20th Asia Regional Conference of the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) in Hong Kong in 2008. As a sub-bureau of the Interpol China National Central Bureau, the Police Force will co-host the biennial event.

During the year, the Police Force continued to send officers to the Interpol General Secretariat in Lyon, France and to the Regional Liaison Office in Bangkok, Thailand on secondment. The arrangement has facilitated liaison with the international law enforcement bodies and at the same time broadened the Police Force's vision and perspective of related global issues.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau is responsible for all bomb disposal work in Hong Kong. In July 2006, the bureau moved into a world-class facility for explosive ordnance disposal, training and counter-terrorism operations. This new purpose-built depot meets modern safety standards and complies with international best practices.

Police Dogs

There are about 120 police dogs serving in the Police Dog Unit. The dogs are deployed regularly to assist the Police in their operations throughout the territory. Specialist search dogs, kept at two operational bases, are used for searching dangerous drugs, explosives and firearms, as well for tracking objects or people. Police dogs also play an important role in many police operations.

Public Order

The Police Force continued to keep Hong Kong stable and safe by giving its. officers up-to-date training in internal security, public order and crowd management. They are also given refresher courses regularly. After gaining valuable experience from their handling of the security aspects of the World Trade Organisation Hong Kong Ministerial Conference held in Hong Kong in 2005, the Police Tactical Unit played host to police officers from the Mainland, Macao and a few other jurisdictions which wanted to learn from Hong Kong.

Police Licensing Office

The Police Licensing Office is responsible for handling notifications of public order events. In conjunction with the Department of Justice, it issued in February a document entitled 'Guidelines on the approach to the Public Order Ordinance in relation to public meetings and public processions' to help frontline officers and the public better understand the laws and policing principles relating to the handling of