ENG-2008 — Page 371

Public Order | 303

The Police have continued to enhance co-operation with INTERPOL in different areas. In addition to the 20th INTERPOL Asian Regional Conference, other conferences and working groups at working levels were organised during the year. The Police also identified training opportunities in INTERPOL's member countries in which officers could participate.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau is responsible for all bomb disposal work including Improvised Explosive Device Disposal, Conventional Munitions Disposal, and the disposal of pyrotechnic devices. It is also responsible for dealing with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents. It forms an essential part of the Police's counter-terrorism and internal security response capability.

Force Search Unit

In 2008, the Force Search Unit played an important role in the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events. Since early July, a number of defensive venue search operations were conducted by the 500 cadre members of the unit equipped with advanced search equipment, together with explosives sniffer dogs. Security screening operations in respect of the Equestrian Events-related venues were also conducted by the unit. A total of 334 000 people were screened and 5 400 vehicles were checked before entering the venues.

Police Dogs

There were 120 police dogs in the Police Dog Unit in 2008, assisting the Police in detecting and preventing crimes. Police dogs played an important role in a number of Police operations in 2008, including the screening of the Hong Kong Stadium for the 2008 Rugby Sevens; hotel and venue searches for visits of Internationally Protected Persons and leaders of the Central People's Government; the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay; and the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.

Public Order

To maintain public order, the Police Force continued to provide all officers with suitable training and equipment, facilitating their performance in a wide range of duties in an efficient, effective and professional manner. In 2008, the public, as well as the local and international media, witnessed the special tactics and equipment deployed by the Police Force in a number of public order events, including the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay and the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.

Police Licensing Office

The Police Licensing Office is responsible for issuing various types of licences and permits. In 2008, the Police Licensing Office continued to work closely with the Efficiency Unit and the Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Unit of the Financial Secretary's Office in bringing improvements to the Police Force's licensing system. During the year, the office processed 3 551 applications for liquor licences and made recommendations to the Liquor Licensing Board accordingly. At year-end,