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Introduction

The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) comprises volunteers from all walks of life and has a proud history dating back to its establishment in 1914. The role and organization of the HKAPF have been constantly modified to keep pace with changing circumstances. In November 1998, the Force Committee on Auxiliary Police (FCAP), comprising both regular and auxiliary members, was formed to conduct a comprehensive review of the HKAPF with a view to optimizing the management and operational deployment of its members. Recommendations were endorsed by the Commissioner of Police and implemented at the end of March 1999.

The original role of the HKAPF as a trained manpower reserve to support the regular force during times of emergencies has been maintained. The HKAPF continues to render the form and amount of support as determined by the Commissioner of Police in accordance with prevailing operational priorities. Its organization and command have been modified to enhance integration with the regular force. The HKAPF is established under Section 3 of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force Ordinance, Chapter 233 of the Laws of Hong Kong. The establishment is distributed to five land Police Regions in numbers proportional to the uniform branch establishment of each Region. Recruitment of volunteers to join the HKAPF is continuing to ensure the vitality and youthfulness of the Force.

The FCAP continues to function as a standing committee for the formulation of policies relating to the role, establishment, structure and command, personnel, deployment and training of the HKAPF. Police Headquarters (Support Wing), is responsible for determining and promulgating policies relating to the role, deployment and operational efficiency of the HKAPF. The Auxiliary Support Bureau is formed in June 2001 to provide support services at the Force level to both regular and auxiliary members with regard to the HKAPF. The Bureau is responsible for the administration, management and basic/continuation training of all auxiliary members.

The roles of the HKAPF are as:

(a)

An internal security (I.S) trained reserve with the following specific duties:

1.	the protection of Key Points;
2.	providing staff for Command and Control Centres;
3.	providing staff for Station Defence; and
4.	the protection of Consular Premises.

(b)

A reserve to assist at times of natural disaster or civil emergencies; and

(c)

A support to the regular Force in the performance of crowd management duties during major public events and in other pre-planned operations.

In addition, the HKAPF acts as a trained manpower reserve to support the regular Force in its daily performance of beat patrol duties and in supplementing normal police services during the policing of major events.