The Regions

Day-to-day policing is handled through six regional commands that are largely autonomous. An Assistant Commissioner heads each of the Regions, which are divided into Districts and Divisions and in a few cases, Sub-Divisions. Currently there are 23 Police Districts.

Land Regions
Each of the five land Regions has a Headquarters with a dedicated Command and Control Centre, Emergency Unit, company of PTU, and Crime and Traffic formations.

Regional Command and Control Centre (RCCC)
is the nerve centre that effectively controls resources at both regional and district levels, and acts as the conduit for operational communications with Headquarters and other agencies. More significantly, it provides the public with an instant personal response to 999 calls for help.

Emergency Unit (EU)
provides a rapid response to emergency situations, including 999 calls, and a speedy additional presence of uniformed Police on the street to combat crime through operation of mobile patrols within their respective Districts. EU comprises a headquarters element and four platoons, each with 41 officers operating 15 patrol cars on a three-shift basis.

PTU Company
provides a ready reserve to deal with threats to internal security situations and natural disasters, but is routinely used on a daily basis to supplement District resources in tackling identified crime blackspots.

Crime Formation
investigates serious and inter-district crimes. In addition, it collects, collates and evaluates intelligence on criminals and criminal activities within the Region.

Traffic Formation
is responsible for traffic control and enforcement of traffic legislation and regulations; the investigation of traffic accidents; the promotion of road safety; and implementing Force and regional traffic policies.

Marine Region
The role of the marine police is to maintain the integrity of the sea boundaries and regional waters of the HKSAR. It is responsible for enforcing the laws of Hong Kong in regional waters; preventing illegal immigration by sea; search and rescue in Hong Kong and adjacent waters; and casualty evacuation.

The Marine Region comprises a regional Headquarters and two Districts. With a fleet of 145 vessels — 75 launches and 70 small craft — the Region polices 1 850 km² of Hong Kong waters and some 240 outlying islands.

Operations Bureau
oversees the Regional Crime Units in investigating crimes and syndicated illegal immigration activities by sea; the Regional Command and Control Centre; Logistics Unit; Range, Weapons and Tactics Unit; and the Small Boat Division.

Administration Bureau
is responsible for general administration, personnel and establishment matters.

Support Bureau
is responsible for the management of launch acquisition programmes; training and assessment of marine police personnel in areas of navigation, seamanship, engineering and safety; and the selection and acquisition of specialist equipment.