The Hong Kong Police Force has operational responsibilities for crime prevention and detection, the maintenance of law and order, traffic matters and the detection of illegal immigration. The 34 622-strong force consists of 28 585 disciplined staff and 6 037 civilians. There are also 5 721 volunteer citizens of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.

          The Handover anniversary celebrations and visits by President Jiang Zemin and President Bill Clinton in July were the high points of the year characterised by a series of activities. More than 2 000 officers from the Police Tactical Unit (PTU), VIP Protection Unit, Force Search Cadre. Force Escort Group, Special Duties Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, Police Dog Unit and other non-front-line units were mobilised to ensure public safety, manage crowds and traffic and counter any security threat. The police worked closely with the main organising bodies and other agencies in the development and subsequent implementation of security plans. Good rapport was developed among all parties concerned and the protection service provided was highly regarded.

          The unprecedented airport relocation operation, which began in May, culminated in the crucial 'night move' on July 5. More than 1 000 officers were deployed at both airports and along the relocation routes. Police provided escort services for large loads, implemented road closures and maintained crowd control. Crucial to the success of the operation was the continued functioning of Kai Tak Airport while equipment was simultaneously moved unhindered to the new airport. The whole operation was conducted smoothly.

Crime

Reported crimes in 1998 totalled 71 962, an increase of 6.8 per cent compared with 67 367 crimes recorded in 1997. The crime rate stood at 1 076.1 cases per 100 000 of the population, an increase of 3.9 per cent, compared with 1997. Despite the slight increase, the force's dedication in maintaining the law and order of Hong Kong ensured that the Special Administrative Region (SAR) remained one of the most secure and stable cities in the world.

          Violent crimes, including murder, wounding, serious assault, rape, indecent assault, kidnapping, blackmail, criminal intimidation, robbery and arson, increased to 14 682 cases, compared with 13 749 in 1997. Robbery, wounding and serious assault accounted for some 70.9 per cent of the total number of violent crimes in 1998.

          Vehicle theft rose slightly after four years of decline. In 1998, 2 409 motor vehicles were reported missing, a rise of 10.3 per cent compared with 1997. There were 57 robberies involving the use of firearms, both genuine and pistol-like objects, a decrease of 27.8 per cent compared with 1997.

          In all, 33 139 crimes, or 46.1 per cent of the total, were detected, with 40 422 people arrested for various criminal offences. Of those arrested, 5 834 were juvenile offenders (aged between seven and 15 years) and 6 613 were young persons (16 to 20).

Violent Crime (Firearms only)

Although there was a slight increase in the overall crime figures in 1998, the number of robberies involving the use of genuine firearms dropped markedly. Sustained police enforcement and investigation action, coupled with close co-operation with the Mainland police, have contributed to a fall in the total number of robberies involving genuine firearms from 13 in 1997 to seven in 1998.

Vehicle Theft

There was a 10.3 per cent increase in vehicle theft in 1998. Of concern was the rising trend in the theft of high-powered sports vehicles due to increased organised racing activities. Theft of commercial vehicles such as tractors and light goods vehicles also experienced an increase. Theft of luxury vehicles however decreased significantly as a result of advanced anti-theft devices installed by manufacturers.

          The continued co-operation and co-ordinated enforcement action by Hong Kong and Mainland authorities led to a significant drop in the smuggling of stolen vehicles from Hong Kong to the Mainland, in particular by sea.

          The smuggling of left-hand-drive vehicles stolen from overseas into the Mainland via Hong Kong, prevalent in 1997, was kept under control due to enhanced communication and co-operation between the Hong Kong Police and overseas law enforcement agencies.

Organised Crime and Triads

The organised crime and triad scene did not show significant changes from previous years. Triads were involved mostly in extortion, loansharking, illegal gambling and prostitution. But the problem was not serious. There were 2 623 triad- related cases which represents 3.6 per cent of the overall reported crime. The figure has been dropping in the last four years, the average of which was about four per cent.

          During the year, a total of 14 cases were prosecuted and $200,000, being the proceeds of various crimes, was confiscated. A further $58,392,580 was under restraint pending court proceedings. There was one successful application to the court to enhance the defendant's sentence for triad-related crimes. This resulted in the sentence being increased by 50 per cent.

          The Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance, which was fully implemented in 1995, continued to enhance the force's drive against triads and organised crime. During 1998, the special investigative powers were used in major investigations.

Witness Protection Unit

Co-ordinating the force's Witness Protection Programme, the unit protects witnesses assessed to be exposed to genuine physical risk. Unit personnel are trained in various protective security and bodyguarding skills and are capable of providing witnesses with a wide range of tailor-made protective measures, including 24-hour armed protection, relocation and courtroom security during testimony.

Vulnerable Witnesses and Child Protection

The Child Protection Policy Unit continued to work on improvements in the areas of child protection and support for vulnerable witnesses. In 1998, the five Regional Child Abuse Investigation Units took up 148 child abuse cases (115 sexual abuse and 33 physical abuse) for investigation. They also assisted other Crime Investigation Teams in dealing with 156 cases (102 sexual abuse and 54 physical abuse) involving child victims and witnesses.

          The force now maintains five video-recorded interview suites which are child-friendly and based in non-police premises. They are equipped with advanced video-recording facilities and modern medical equipment to facilitate forensic examination of victims in sexual abuse cases. A total of 178 video-recorded interviews (137 for sexual abuse and 41 for physical abuse) were conducted by trained officers.

          The 'Witness Support Programme', which started in November 1996, continued to work well. Trained non-government volunteers and family aides of the Social Welfare Department played a significant role in helping child and mentally handicapped witnesses to give evidence in court. In 1998, more than 50 witnesses received the service.

          The unit maintained close liaison with overseas law enforcement agencies in combating commercial sexual exploitation of children. In May, an officer from the unit took part in the 'Interpol Standing Working Party on Offences Against Minors' held in France. In November, an officer attended advanced training in Australia, followed by an attachment to a local investigation team.

          Since its connection to the Internet in April 1997, the unit has monitored developments and trends in distributing child pornography through the use of computers. Enforcement action was taken against six such cases (50 per cent involved the use of computers). In order to better protect children of Hong Kong and other countries, new legislation is being formulated to strengthen the existing control over child pornography and tackle child-sex tourism.

Commercial Crime

The Commercial Crime Bureau experienced a major upturn in reported fraud cases amid the Asian financial crisies. Several brokerage firms collapsed during the year and some high-profile company fraud by company directors surfaced.

          Long-term investigations undertaken by the bureau's task force saw two major fraud cases involving public companies come to fruition, including the extradition of a suspect from Australia. Another long-term, high-profile case saw the conviction of a company director who was a Legislative Councillor.

          Fraud by West African crime syndicates continued, with particular enforcement emphasis being placed by the bureau on 'black money scams' resulting in arrests and convictions.

          The bureau continued to combat the insidious nature of counterfeit currency. Arrests and the neutralisation of some distribution networks in Hong Kong led to a fall in the number of counterfeit notes circulating in the economy. The use of counterfeit credit cards in Hong Kong remained at an all-time low.

Narcotics

The retail price of No.4 heroin remained stable at about $427 per gram, while the average purity of heroin seized hovered around the 50 per cent mark. During 1998, 209.4 kilograms of heroin were seized, compared with 202 kilograms in 1997. Police and Customs made 10 773 arrests for narcotic offences, compared to 12 483 arrests in 1997.

          The decline in heroin seizures is mainly attributed to traffickers' having stopped using Hong Kong as a transshipment centre and the continued practice by trafficking syndicates of storing drugs in bulk across the boundary and bringing only small quantities into Hong Kong to satisfy local demand. This is also in line with the continued fall in the number of reported heroin drug abusers recorded by the Central Registry of Drug Abuse since the peak in 1994. Enforcement action resulted in 11 heroin adulterating centres being neutralised.

          A total of 232.7 kilograms of methamphetamine was seized in 1998, compared to 73 kilograms seized in 1997. In June, a joint operation with the Guangdong and Zhongshan Public Security Bureaux resulted in a methamphetamine production facility in Zhongshan being neutralised. A total of 391 kilograms of methamphetamine and 472 kilograms of ephedrine were seized - the largest single seizure of methamphetamine in the world to date.

          Since the introduction of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance in 1989, total assets valued at $320.7 million have either been ordered to be confiscated or paid to the government. Further assets of a value of $154.2 million were under restraint pending confiscation.

          In an effort to assist the rehabilitation of juveniles, the Superintendent's Discretion Scheme was expanded to facilitate the cautioning of first time minor opiate drug offenders. Mandatory urine tests were incorporated into the scheme to screen out opiate addicts, who would be dealt with by the courts where appropriate treatment could be imposed.

Crime Prevention

The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to promote its services to both the public and private sectors with more than 30 000 security surveys completed during the year. These surveys were compiled for the force, the SAR Government, consulates, courts, banks, hotels, and other large commercial interests. Security services were provided for organisations planning to integrate security features into new buildings.

          More than 700 security companies which have applied for licences were inspected to ensure that a high standard in the industry is maintained. The Crime Prevention Bus and Robotcop continued to provide basic security advice to residents.

Crime Information

The Criminal Records Bureau plays an important role in the administration of justice in the SAR by providing criminal records to the courts to aid in sentencing offenders. In 1998, 83 399 new conviction records were created.

          The bureau indexes information on wanted, suspected or missing persons, identifiable stolen property, missing vehicles and outstanding warrants. Other records and indices maintained in the bureau provide a means of identifying perpetrators of crime by their modus operandi. All of this information is available to force members through the 'Enhanced Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System' maintained by the bureau around the clock. The system dealt with 3 486 784 enquiries in 1998.

Forensic Firearms Examination

The Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau continues to play an important role in the investigation of firearms-related crimes by providing ever improving scientific services to the force and other disciplined services departments. Considerable progress has also been made in establishing links with Macau and other regional forensic laboratories to assist with the investigation of cross-border crimes.

          With the aid of the recently purchased computerised bullet and cartridge identification system, it is now possible to compare, within minutes, fired ammunition in a shooting incident in Hong Kong with all the unsolved crime cases in the region. The scheduled purchase of a scanning electron microscope, specifically tailored for the qualitative analysis of gunshot residue exhibits, will also greatly improve the bureau's services in determining not only who fired a weapon, but also enabling officers to pinpoint in which country the ammunition was manufactured as well as its calibre. This equipment will also enable the bureau to provide analytical results in 48 hours, at most.

Identification

The Identification Bureau is a specialist operation providing professional fingerprint and photographic services to the force and other law enforcement agencies. The need to use technological measures as a primary aid in crime detection is increasing and the results achieved by the Computer Assisted Fingerprint Identification System render it an indispensable tool. The system greatly enhances the effectiveness and efficiency in searching fingerprints. During the year, it processed the fingerprints of 127 184 persons and led to the identification of 43 297 persons with criminal records. A total of 1 498 persons were identified in connection with 1 415 crime cases. After finishing identification, bureau experts presented fingerprint evidence in court in 465 cases.

          Officers of the Scenes of Crime Section provide a 24-hour response for crime scenes fingerprint examinations. In 1998, they attended 20 616 crime scenes. In addition, the Advanced Technology Section employs the latest technologies in detecting fingerprints on exhibits which cannot otherwise be achieved by conventional means. The section identified 456 cases, some of which were extremely serious and high-profile in nature.

          During the year, the Photographic Section produced 90 192 monochrome photographs and 990 602 colour prints and slides. It also provides 24-hour coverage for crime scene photography, makes videos of crime re-enactments and prepares photographic exhibits for presentation in courts.

Liaison

The Liaison Bureau acts as a co-ordination centre in dealing with criminal information and associated inquiries between the force and other police organisations. It also maintains close liaison with local consulate officials.

          The Liaison Division is responsible for contacts with the Mainland police authorities. Close liaison has been maintained with the Interpol China National Central Bureau (CNCB) in Beijing, the Guangdong Liaison Office, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Liaison Sub-Offices in Guangdong Province and other Mainland law enforcement organisations. Since 1992, 120 criminal fugitives and 108 stolen vehicles have been returned to Hong Kong from the Mainland.

          The Interpol Division represents the force in the International Criminal Police Organisation (ICPO) - Interpol - as a sub-bureau of the CNCB. A Hong Kong Police officer is seconded to the ICPO General Secretariat in Lyon, France, to work in one of its specialised groups.

Public Order

During the year, the PTU was engaged in security assurance and crowd management during major events including the Handover anniversary celebrations, visits by Presidents Jiang and Clinton, Legislative Council elections, and the relocation of the airport. PTU officers also played an important role in assisting other units with crowd management duties during the Christmas and New Year festivals and large-scale public events, such as the National Day fireworks displays, and at public gatherings, processions and demonstrations. They also undertook many anti-crime operations and anti-illegal immigration patrols. However, from October 26, PTU officers have ceased patrolling the SAR/Mainland boundary as these duties were taken over by the revamped Police Border District.

          During the year, more than 2 000 police officers from the rank of superintendent to constable were deployed to the five Police Regions throughout Hong Kong after receiving internal security, crowd management and advanced tactical training at the PTU. To further enhance the capability of the unit, PTU training staff visited the USA and South Korea to exchange ideas and experience on crowd management methods and defensive tactics.

          The Special Duties Unit, the force's counter-terrorist response unit, played an important role during the presidential visits and was deployed on several occasions to help crime units tackle armed criminal gangs.

Illegal Immigration

The downward trend in the number of illegal immigrants (IIs) from the Mainland continued, with 14 613 IIs arrested in 1998, an average of 40 per day, representing a decrease of 18 per cent from 17 819 in 1997. Of these, 45 per cent claimed to have come by sea and the rest came across the land boundary. Crossing the boundary by hiding below vehicles was a popular method for sneaking into the SAR. Although IIs from the Guangdong Province still comprised the largest number of arrests, their proportion to the total number of IIs arrested fell 25 per cent in 1998 compared with the 1997 figure. However, the proportion of IIs from northern provinces such as Hunan and Hubei rose. On average, 3 059 officers and 47 vessels were deployed to counter illegal immigrants each day in 1998.

          An under- vehicle surveillance system was installed to assist in checking IIs hiding under vehicles at boundary-crossing points. Police continued to maintain close liaison with officers of the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau. Regular meetings were held to exchange intelligence on illegal immigration.

Vietnamese Illegal Arrivals

On January 9, the SAR abolished the port of first asylum policy. The last Vietnamese detention centre, the High Island Detention Centre, was closed on May 26. In 1998, 894 Vietnamese IIs were arrested, representing a decrease of 48 per cent from 1 721 in 1997. Most of them came to Hong Kong to seek employment. During the year, the police provided escorts under the Orderly Repatriation Programme for the repatriation of 43 Vietnamese migrants and 1 439 Vietnamese IIs on 11 flights to Vietnam.

Bomb Disposal

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau was heavily involved in several major operations throughout the year. Apart from providing coverage for the Handover anniversary celebrations and the presidential visits, the bureau destroyed 10 tonnes of unstable explosive rocket propellant confiscated under the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations. It also took part in operations in which more than 1 000 kilograms of explosives and several hundred detonators intended for criminal use were seized. Other duties included regular bomb disposal call-outs during which a wide variety of bombs from wartime ordnance to home-made bombs were rendered safe.

          Training was provided to a wide cross-section of departments. Of particular note was a training programme designed to assist key departments in acquiring expertise to counter the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical terrorism. This generated a set of co-ordinated procedures and an overall strategy to deal with such incidents.

Police Dog

The Police Dog Unit is staffed by officers with specialised skills in dog handling and training. The unit's headquarters at Queen's Hill Camp is primarily committed to breeding and training police dogs. It also provides canine operational support to police regions. Besides general patrols, police dogs have been made part of the Emergency Unit since 1998 as an endeavour to provide a speedier service.

          Specialist 'sniffer' dogs are trained to search for dangerous drugs, explosives and firearms and are retained at the airport to provide a 24-hour service. They also operate in tandem with the Force Search Cadre in special operations and major events, such as the the presidential visits.

Traffic

Traffic Police continued to play a vital role in the ongoing development and completion of various major infrastructural projects, the most notable of which was the relocation of the airport to Chek Lap Kok. The Force Escort Group and all regional units were heavily involved during the visits of Presidents Jiang and Clinton.

          Several fatal accidents during the year resulted in the formation of inter-departmental working groups to address issues, such as formulating legislation against reckless driving, expansion of the mandatory wearing of seat belts and enhancement of speeding enforcement. Studies aimed at developing a fully automated system of enforcing red- light cameras and fixed speed detection devices were also initiated.

          There were 14 014 traffic accidents involving casualties in 1998, representing a decrease of 5.2 per cent compared with 1997. The number of fixed penalty tickets for moving offences fell by 9.2 per cent compared with 1997. Police and traffic wardens issued 1 206 000 tickets for parking offences during the year, representing a decrease of 22.8 per cent.

Police Licensing Office

The Commissioner of Police, through the Licensing Office, is the licensing authority for a variety of licences and permits. As the Societies Officer, he is also responsible for the registration/exemption from registration of the establishment of local societies.

          In 1998, 1 130 societies applied for registration and 15 applied for exemption from registration. In all, 1 903 societies were dissolved, 9 720 registered and 18 exempted from registration.

          Since a replacement exercise began in May 1997, Watchman's Permit holders have been notified in phases to apply for Security Personnel Permits under the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance. During the year, 21 726 Watchman's Permit holders born between 1957 and 1966 were notified. In 1998, 38 395 new Security Personnel Permit applications were received and 39 571 permits issued.

          In all, 2 215 arms licences and permits were issued in 1998. The Firearms and Ammunition (Amendment) Bill 1999 was due to be introduced into the Legislative Council on January 27, 1999, to update and tighten the legislation regulating the possession and use of arms and ammunition for recreational and sporting purposes.

Marine Police

Strengthened co-operation with the authorities in Guangdong Province has reduced the number of IIs arrested while attempting to enter Hong Kong by sea. In 1998 these numbered 834 compared with 1 010 arrested in 1997. In all, 182 Vietnamese arriving by sea were intercepted and 122 of them chose to continue their journey.

          The number of cases involving smuggling of petrol and diesel oil has increased. 443 persons were arrested and 3 317 000 litres with a value of $12,534,969 were seized, compared with 27 arrests involving 246 531 litres valued at $1,350,240 in 1997.

          As part of the continuing close liaison between the Marine Region and the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau, two exchange visits took place during the year. The first was in June when 180 Mainland officers arrived by sea at the Marine Region Headquarters. The second visit took place in September when a delegation of 140 Hong Kong police officers sailed up the Pearl River on board three police patrol vessels to visit the First Brigade Headquarters in Huangpu.

          During the year, the region took delivery of the first of five high speed vessels, specially designed and built to replace the Anti-Smuggling Task Force tai feis (speed boats). Planning work for a long-term phased programme to replace 35 large patrol launches has begun.

          Marine Region continued to assist other government departments and non-government organisations in a wide range of activities, including protection of the marine environment, curbing pollution, safety at sea and provisions of search and rescue services in the SAR waters.

Public Relations

The Police Public Relations Branch plays an increasingly important role in explaining the work of the force and maintaining good relations with the public with a view to enlisting their support in the fight against crime.

          Police Community Relations Officers and Neighbourhood Police Co-ordinators in police districts regularly liaise with the local community to explain police policies and priorities while School Liaison Officers give lectures to students on preventing youth crime.

          The Junior Police Call (JPC) scheme helps instil respect for the law among the younger generation and guide them towards a healthy life. Apart from organising a wide range of activities for them, the force, in conjunction with Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), produces a weekly radio programme, Voice of JPC, to provide a forum for spreading anti-crime messages and promoting youth activities. At the end of 1998, its membership reached 205 933.

          The force and RTHK also jointly produce two weekly television programmes, Police Report and Police Magazine, to appeal to the public for information on undetected crimes and arouse their awareness on tactics used by criminal elements.

          The Good Citizen Award Scheme and the Good Citizen of the Year Award Scheme, introduced in 1972 and 1984 respectively, are long-standing projects jointly administered by the police and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. The schemes have so far given recognition to a total of 2 704 civic-minded citizens.

          Information collected through police hotlines and Crime Information Forms has led to positive results and arrests. In 1998, 8 764 calls and 1 761 completed forms were received.

          On the media front, information on crime, police actions and activities is disseminated to news organisations, both local and overseas, round the clock. During the year, professional staff seconded from the Information Services Department handled 222 982 media enquiries, organised 182 press conferences and briefings, attended 199 incidents to assist media coverage and issued 4 016 press releases.

          These officers also produce a fortnightly newspaper, OffBeat, monitor media coverage of police and criminal activities, produce publications for the force and conduct major publicity campaigns including Police Recruitment and Fight Crime.

Planning and Development

In 1998, 60 video interview room facilities were provided in all major stations and regional and headquarters units. A force-wide programme of providing improved and better equipped fitness centres at all major police stations was completed by the year's end.

          A pilot scheme was conducted at North Point Police Station to implement improvements including physical modifications and enhancements to service attitude and the delivery process. The scheme has been expanded to cover Sau Mau Ping and Sha Tin Police Stations and will be extended to other stations in phases over the next three years. Automated security systems which will replace Station Guards will also be installed as part of the improvement project to provide better value for money and to lessen disruption to the operations of stations.

          In line with the Station Improvement Project, a programme of introducing standardised force corporate colours and finishes has begun. It will create a standard, recognisable look that can be associated with the force's image while retaining the individual identity of buildings.

          Planning for the comprehensive redevelopment of Police Headquarters (PHQ) within the Arsenal Yard site is at an advanced stage. A modernised PHQ will be built at the site currently occupied by May House and the external car parking area to provide accommodation for officers presently housed in Caine House, May House, Wan Chai Police Station and various PHQ units in leased accommodation. Demolition and construction work is scheduled to start in mid-1999 for completion by early 2004.

          Three replacement Regional Headquarters complexes were advanced in their planning phases throughout the year. These include combined operational bases, with Regional Headquarters for Kowloon East, Kowloon West and New Territories South Regions. They are planned for completion in 2003 and 2004.

          Plans are also well advanced for the construction of 384 Junior Police Officers* (JPO) quarters in Tung Chung new town by January 2002. An operational base for Traffic Police operating in North Lantau will also be built as part of this project.

          During the year, an extensive programme of conversion and refurbishment works has been carried out at various police stations and other facilities in Border District following the amalgamation of the Field Patrol Detachment into the Border District.

          Planning is under way to redevelop the Marine Police Divisional Headquarters at Ma Liu Shui into a new Marine Police Outer Waters District and Divisional Headquarters and to provide accommodation for a Traffic Police unit. An adjacent site is earmarked for the construction of a police vehicle examination centre and a detention pound and weigh station.

          During 1998, a working group was set up to study the duties of beat officers, with a view to creating a formula which could be used to define a beat area. When pilot studies are completed, the formula will be finalised by July 1999.

Communications

Facilities have been upgraded in all Police 999 Emergency Call Centres with caller number display installed to enable quicker responses to emergency calls. A management information system has been developed to provide fast and reliable 999 management statistics.

          Replacement of radio control facilities for the Mass Transit Railway District was finished. The PTU was provided with radios of an advanced model and the Police Communication System for the new airport was completed.

          Planning and development for other major communication projects are proceeding, including the provision of a radio system for the Criminal Intelligence and Narcotics Bureaux, a new Marine Police Communications System and a replacement for the Air-to-Ground Police System. Research has also begun for the development of the force's third generation Command and Control Communications System.

Transport

The force has 1 600 four-wheeled vehicles and 800 motorcycles. Along with operational performance, the force management takes safety aspects of police vehicles seriously. One safety technology being investigated is a directional siren which will enable road users to identify the direction of a sound source, and then take appropriate action. This will shorten the time spent on emergency journeys and enhance safety for other road users. A system to provide a short, run-flat capability to prevent a deflated tyre causing loss of control of a vehicle is also being studied.

          Police lorries have been replaced by a new, more comfortable type of vehicle with extra safety features. A better designed and equipped Force Mobile Command Vehicle, which can improve field command capability for major incidents, is now in operation.

Information Technology

The current Force Information Systems Strategy will be fully implemented by mid-1999. A consultancy review has commenced and is expected to be completed in April 1999. The thrust of the review is to allow front-line police officers greater online access to the force's information systems, thereby enhancing efficiency of operations.

          To enhance support to the computer systems used in different police formations, a centralised Systems Management System was implemented in August. It automates the operational management and performance monitoring of more than 140 application servers and 2 000 common terminals in the force.

          The Regional Information Communal System was completed and rolled out in June for all six Police Regions and 19 Headquarters formations. It enables complete automation in handling reports to police, eliminates repetitive paper work and produces timely management information for operational planning.

          Development of the Traffic Operations Management System to handle traffic accident reports and investigation and detained vehicles has been completed. System roll-out to traffic formations will be finished by January 1999. The system can improve operational efficiency by giving Police Officers direct access to the vehicle registration and driving licence database.

          The Accounting and Financial Management System, Duty Scheduler, and Central Licensing and Registration System II also went live in 1998. These systems greatly improved timeliness and accuracy in expenditure control, human resource management and the processing of all licences issued by or on the advice of the force.

          A rectification programme for the Year 2000 problem started in April and will be completed by June 1999. At December 31, a total of 76 information systems were in operation with and 18 new systems under development or implementation.