Operations Department

The department handles the day-to-day operations of the Police Force through six regional commands and its Operations and Support Wings.

Operations Wing

Operations Bureau

It comprises the Operations Division, the Counter-Terrorism and Internal Security Division, and the Key Points and Search Division that encompasses also the Police Dog Unit. Duties include the formulation and dissemination of Force operational policy and relevant orders including boundary security, manning of Headquarters Command and Control Centre, deployment of operational resources, liaison with visiting foreign naval forces and the Hong Kong Garrison.

Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Headquarters

Apart from overseeing the training of PTU Companies and the Special Duties Unit, PTU Headquarters also regularly reviews tactics, weapons and equipment to be used in internal security situation and crowd management operations.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau

Apart from its bomb disposal work, the Bureau provides training to relevant Police units and oversees storage of ammunition and explosives.

Support Wing

Support Branch

Support Bureau comprises Field, General, Occupational Safety and Health, Transport Divisions, and the Force Data and Access to Information Co-ordination Unit. It is responsible for the formulation of policies, procedures and orders in a number of diverse policy areas as well as liaison with other Government departments on inter-departmental matters.

Auxiliary Support Bureau provides a “one-stop-shop” service in respect of the administration, management and training of approximately 3 900 auxiliary members of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.

Police Licensing Office acts as the authority for the issue of licences and permits for which the Commissioner of Police is the issuing authority, and coordinates policy matters relating to Public Order Events.

Police Public Relations Branch

Community Relations Bureau maintains close ties with the public, organises anti-crime publicity through the media and community events, and promotes Police and youth activities.

Information and Publicity Bureau provides a 24-hour newsroom and other services for the media, and runs Police publicity campaigns.

Traffic Branch Headquarters

It formulates and disseminates traffic enforcement policies, processes traffic summonses and fixed penalty tickets, monitors changes in legislation, develops and evaluates traffic management schemes, and coordinates the Force’s road safety efforts. It also oversees Traffic Wardens. It comprises two bureaux: the Traffic Management and Prosecutions Bureau, and the Administration Bureau.

The Regions

Day-to-day policing is handled through six regional commands. 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 (RCCC), Emergency Unit (EU), company of PTU, Crime and Traffic formations.

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

Emergency Unit provides a rapid response to emergency situations, including 999 calls, and a speedy additional presence of uniformed Police on the streets to combat crime through operation of mobile patrols within their respective Districts. EU comprises a headquarters element and four platoons, each with about 70 officers operating 12 patrol cars on a 24-hour basis.

Police Tactical Unit Company provides a ready reserve for crowd management duties, dealing with threats to internal security situations and natural disasters, and is routinely used on a daily basis to supplement District resources in tackling crime.

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 legislations and regulations; investigation of traffic accidents; 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 smuggling and 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 – 71 launches and 74 small craft – the Region polices 1 850 sq km of Hong Kong waters and some 261 outlying islands.

Operations Bureau oversees the Regional Crime Units in investigating crimes and syndicated illegal immigration and smuggling activities by sea; the RCCC; Logistics Unit; Regional Armoury; Transport Office; and the Small Boat Division.

Administration Bureau is responsible for general administration, and the management of regional finance, personnel, establishment and training matters.

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

Crime and Security Department

The department is responsible for Force policy and the overall direction of all matters pertaining to crime and security.

Crime Wing

Organized Crime and Triad Bureau

OCTB investigates complex organised crime and serious triad offences.

Criminal Intelligence Bureau

CIB studies criminal activities, societies, organised and serious crime, and gathers intelligence mainly for enforcement action by operational crime formations.

Commercial Crime Bureau

CCB investigates serious and complex commercial fraud, counterfeiting, forgery and technology crime.

Narcotics Bureau

NB collects intelligence and takes enforcement action in relation to the import, manufacture and distribution of dangerous drugs. The Bureau works closely with Mainland and overseas agencies to contain the activities of Hong Kong-connected syndicates operating in other jurisdictions. It also investigates money laundering and terrorist financing.

Crime Prevention Bureau

CPB provides free and independent security advice for government departments, industry representative bodies and the public at large. It also assists in regulation of the private security industry via inspection of licensed security companies.

Liaison Bureau

LB is responsible for coordinating all police-related enquiries with and from other law enforcement agencies and local consulate officials. It acts as the Force’s main contact point with other law enforcement agencies on police-related matters.

Identification Bureau

IB tests for fingerprints, collects DNA samples, takes crime-scene photographs, and maintains a Computer Assisted Fingerprint Identification System.

Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau

FFEB evaluates arms and ammunition and tests bullet-resistant outfits in addition to its forensic duties.

Criminal Records Bureau

CRB maintains databases on convicted criminals, wanted persons, missing persons, outstanding arrest warrants, missing and wanted vehicles as well as an index of persons convicted of serious offences from whom DNA samples are retained.

Child Protection Policy Unit

CPPU formulates policy and other matters pertaining to child abuse and domestic violence. In addition, this unit also covers policy matters in relation to sexual violence, abuse of the elderly, juvenile crime and child pornography.

Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System

MIIDSS is in charge of a computer system that assists in the management of the investigation process of serious and complex crimes, as well as victim and casualty identification in major disasters.

Witness Protection Unit

WPU runs the witness protection programme and advises case officers in all matters regarding the protection of witnesses.

Security Wing

It provides VIP protection and security coordination, including counter-terrorism and related training.

Personnel and Training Department

Personnel Wing

Human Resources Branch

It deals with performance management, career development, postings, increments, advancements, promotions, manpower planning and recruitment matters of Police officers.

Conditions of Service and Discipline Branch

Conditions of Service Branch deals with retirement, resignation, commendations, leave, sickness management and related conditions of service as well as departmental quarters. Its Discipline Division deals with all disciplinary matters.

Personnel Services and Staff Relations Branch

Staff Relations Group consults with staff associations, deals with morale-related matters and provides guidance on harmonious staff relations.

Support Group handles Police Children’s Education Trusts, Police Welfare Fund, group insurance plans, Police Souvenirs Gallery, Staff Purchase Scheme, holiday facilities and other major welfare projects.

Catering, Clubs and Sports Group looks after catering, sports and two Police clubs, namely the Police Sports and Recreation Club and the Police Officers’ Club.

Welfare Services Group provides welfare services at Regional level as well as resettlement services.

Psychological Services Group provides professional counselling to Force members, and promotion of mental health and work-life balance.

Personnel Wing Headquarters

It provides administrative support to the Wing, handles Force discipline adjudication, honours and awards, medals and clasps, medical screening for special units and access to personnel information.

Hong Kong Police College

It is responsible for all matters relating to training within the Force except internal security, highly specialised, Auxiliary and Marine Police training. It comprises five centres.

Foundation Training Centre

It provides basic training for recruit Constables and Inspectors, as well as criminal investigation, firearms and tactics, and police driving and traffic training for serving officers. It is also responsible for issuing and maintaining Government Driving Permit in the Force. In addition, the Centre oversees the operation of the Police Band.

Professional Development Learning Centre

It offers local and overseas training programmes on police leadership and management, seminars on personal effectiveness and awareness on sociopolitical developments in Hong Kong, as well as a range of professional courses on the application of information technology in policing, criminal intelligence management and Hi-Tech crime investigation. In addition, the Centre provides bespoke training programmes for police officers from the Mainland.

Learning Development Support Centre

It provides in-house learning and development support services for the Force, including training consultancy, curriculum design and review, training quality assurance, examinations and assessment, training projects, learning technologies. It also promotes lifelong learning in the Force through accreditation and continuous development.

Research Centre

It is dedicated to enhancing and consolidating the Force’s research capabilities to support the delivery of high quality services to the community. It is also responsible for developing and enhancing the strategic partnership and collaboration with professional research institutes to improve the quality and range of research services available to the Force. In addition, the Centre oversees the operation of the Force Library.

College Administration

It is dedicated to the effective and efficient delivery of the overall administrative support to the College. It is responsible for the planning and administration of human and financial resources, effective budget planning, expenditure control and goods/service procurement for the College.

Management Services Department

Information Systems Wing

Communications Branch

It supplies, installs, repairs and replaces all Force communications equipment such as radio; navigational aids; speed detection radar; Force Mobile Radio Telephones, and other electronic equipment associated with personal or mass communications.

Information Technology Branch

It plans, develops, implements and maintains information systems within the Force; provides computer facilities as required; and mans a 24-hour help desk.

Service Quality Wing

Research and Inspections Branch

Inspection Bureau conducts reviews and inspections of Police activities at the request of programme managers or when directed by the Commissioner. It also monitors inspections carried out by formation commanders to ensure Force standards are maintained and policy directives are observed.

Research Division keeps track on developments in inspection and managerial techniques by maintaining links with both regional and international organisations that perform similar functions as the Force.

Performance Review Bureau ensures implementation of the service quality strategy that aims to promote efficiency and continuous improvement through development of quality management initiatives and customer-oriented culture.

Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch

It investigates complaints against Police officers and civilian staff working in the Force.

Finance, Administration and Planning Department

Finance Wing

Finance Division

It manages and controls all financial matters and coordinates bids for Force resources.

Internal Audit Division

It provides independent appraisals of Force activities, and ensures financial and accounting procedures are properly followed.

Stores Management Division

It procures, supplies, stores and issues uniforms, arms, ammunition, communications equipment and office needs.

Administration Wing

Personnel and General Division

It looks after the Force’s civilian staff, including training, appointments, promotions, appraisals and conditions of service. It also distributes Headquarters Orders and manages the Police Museum.

Establishment and Civilian Staff Relations Division

It determines the creation and deletion of permanent and supernumerary posts and temporary redeployment of posts for operational needs. In addition, it promotes good relations among civilian staff.

Planning and Development Branch

It determines long-term manpower and new building requirements based on population growth and infrastructure development; plans and oversees development of all new Police buildings.