[ Foreword ] [ Memorable Events ] [ The Hand of Partnership ] [ Operations ] [ Regional Commanders' Report ] [ Personnel and Training ]
[ Management Services ]
[ Professional Equipment ] [ Finance, Administration and Planning ] [ Environmental Report ] [ Organisation ]
[ Annexes and Appendices ]
The Commissioner of Police is responsible to the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for the administration and operational efficiency of the Force. He is assisted by the Deputy Commissioner (Operations) and the Deputy Commissioner (Management). The former heads Operations Department and Crime and Security Department while the latter heads three departments, namely Personnel and Training; Management Services; and Finance, Administration and Planning.
Police passing-out parade
The Department handles the day-to-day operations of the Police Force through six regional commands and its Operations and Support Wings.
The Bureau comprises the Operations Division, the Counter-Terrorism and Internal Security Division, and the Key Points and Search Division, which encompasses also the Force Search Unit and the Police Dog Unit. Duties include the formulation and dissemination of Force operational policies and relevant orders including boundary security, manning of Headquarters Command and Control Centre, deployment of operational resources, and liaison with People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison and visiting foreign naval forces.
In addition to overseeing the training provided to PTU and all internal security companies, and the operations of Special Duties Unit, PTU Headquarters also keeps abreast of the latest policing trends. PTU regularly reviews the tactics, weapons and equipment to be used in internal security situations, anti-crime duties and other operational commitments, particularly public order policing, which encompasses public order events and major crowd management operations.
The primary role of the Bureau is to deal with explosive items and suspicious items including military ordnance. The Bureau also oversees storage and disposal of ammunition and explosives, and offers extensive training to officers of the Force and other Government departments.
The Support Bureau comprises Field, General, Occupational Safety and Health, and Transport Divisions, as well as the Police Licensing Office and Force Data and Access to Information Coordination 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.
The 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 co-ordinates policy matters relating to public order events.
The Auxiliary Support Bureau provides one-stop service in respect of the administration, management and training of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.
The Community Relations Bureau maintains close ties with the public, organises fight crime publicity through the media and community events, and promotes Police and youth activities.
The Information and Publicity Bureau provides a round-the-clock newsroom and other services for the media, and runs Police publicity campaigns.
Police Public Relations Branch
The Headquarters comprises the Traffic Management and Prosecutions Bureau; and the Administration Bureau. It formulates and co-ordinates the implementation of traffic enforcement policies, processes traffic summonses and fixed penalty tickets, monitors and participates in the process of changes in traffic related legislation, develops and evaluates traffic management schemes, co-ordinates the Force's road safety efforts and maintains a close liaison with Government bureaux/departments and non-governmental organisations on traffic and transport matters. It also oversees traffic wardens.
Traffic Branch Headquarters
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 districts.
Each of the five Land Regions has a Headquarters with an Emergency Unit (EU), a company of the PTU, a crime formation and a traffic formation. Resources allocation in both regional and district levels is commanded through the three Regional Command and Control Centres (RCCCs). Additionally, the New Territories North Region has a Quick Reaction Force.
The RCCC provides the public with an instant response to 999 emergency calls for help. It also acts as the conduit for operational communications with Headquarters and other agencies.
The EU provides a rapid response to emergency situations, including 999 calls, and ensures a speedy additional presence of uniformed Police on the streets to combat crime through the operation of mobile patrols within the respective Regions. EU comprises a headquarters element and four platoons, each with about 60 officers operating 10 to 12 patrol cars on a 24-hour basis.
The PTU Company provides a ready reserve for dealing with crowd management duties, threats to internal security situations and natural disasters. It is routinely used on a daily basis to supplement district resources in tackling crime.
The Crime Formation investigates serious and inter-district crimes. It also collects, collates and evaluates intelligence on criminals and criminal activities and provides crime prevention information within the Region.
The Traffic Formation is responsible for traffic control and enforcement, the investigation of traffic accidents and the promotion of road safety within the Region.
Land Regions
Land Regions
The role of Marine Police is to maintain the integrity of the sea boundaries and waters of the HKSAR. It is responsible for enforcing the laws of Hong Kong in Hong Kong waters, preventing smuggling and illegal immigration by sea, providing search and rescue within Hong Kong and in adjacent waters, and casualty evacuation.
The Region comprises a Regional Headquarters and two Districts. With a fleet of 119 vessels - 62 launches and 57 small crafts - the Region polices 1,651 square kilometres of Hong Kong waters and 261 outlying islands.
The Operations Bureau oversees the Regional Crime Units in investigating crimes and syndicated illegal immigration and smuggling activities by sea. The Bureau works together with the RCCC, Logistics Unit, Regional Armoury, Regional Motor Transport Office and the Small Boat Division.
The Administration Bureau is responsible for general administration and the management of regional finance, personnel, establishment and staff relations matters.
The 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.
Marine Region
The Department is responsible for Force policy and the overall direction of all matters pertaining to crime and security.
The Bureau's scope of investigation covers serious triad offences, and criminal activities with a high degree of organisation, complexity or international implication. In addition, the Bureau is responsible for the investigation of terrorist activities in Hong Kong.
Organized Crime and Triad Bureau
The Bureau oversees and manages the Force Criminal Intelligence System, keeping Police managers informed of the latest crime situation and new trends whilst providing timely intelligence Force-wide. It strives to enhance the Police Force's capabilities in intelligence gathering and processing through the use of information technology that ensures the most efficient law enforcement measures.
The Bureau investigates serious and complex commercial fraud, counterfeiting, forgery and technology crimes, safeguarding Hong Kong's position as one of the world's financial centres. The Bureau's Cyber Security Centre strengthens Hong Kong's defence, through enhanced and integrated readiness in its information infrastructure, against increasing threats from rapidly growing cyber activities around the world.
Commercial Crime Bureau
The Bureau 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 LEAs to interdict international drug trafficking activities connected to Hong Kong. In addition to investigative measures, the Bureau also assists the Government in co-ordinating risk assessment exercise in regard to money laundering and terrorist financing activities, as well as in combating drug abuse among young people.
The Bureau provides free and independent security advice and crime prevention measures to Government departments and the public at large through various channels, such as security surveys, publicity campaigns, security equipment display rooms and Robotcop. It also assists the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority to regulate the local security industry by vetting applications for security company licences and through regular inspections of these companies and their personnel.
The Bureau is responsible for co-ordinating with LEAs outside Hong Kong and their liaison officers stationed locally for Police related case enquiries and liaison work. In the capacity of a sub-bureau under National Central Bureau China, it is also the designated office to carry out INTERPOL's functions and activities in Hong Kong.
The Bureau provides fingerprint examination and identification, firearms examination, collection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples and forensic photography services in support of frontline policing. The Bureau also provides services to the public, including the provision of Certificate of No Criminal Conviction Record, and handling applications for criminal conviction data and Sexual Conviction Record Check.
The Bureau 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 arrestable offences from whom DNA samples are retained.
The Unit, formerly known as Child Protection Policy Unit, is responsible for formulating Force policy, procedures and training regarding the handling of Abusive Offences, which include child and elder abuse, as well as domestic, family and sexual violence.
Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit
The Unit assists the Force frontline and other Government departments in handling complex investigations and disaster management by utilising the system to enhance the efficiency of processing a large volume of information.
The Unit runs witness protection programmes, organises training and advises case officers on all aspects of witness protection.
The Security Wing provides VIP protection, consular liaison and security co-ordination, including counter-terrorism and related training.
The Branch deals with performance management issues, career development, postings, increments, advancements, promotions, manpower planning and recruitment matters in relation to Police officers.
The Branch provides services and advice to Force members relating to health management, pay and allowances, quartering and discipline.
The Branch delivers personnel, welfare, psychological and staff relations related services through five different groups.
The Staff Relations Group forms a link between staff associations and Force management, handles morale related issues, provides guidance in respect of the best way to ensure amicable staff relations, and promotes a culture of financial prudence by officers.
The Catering, Clubs and Sports Group provides services in relation to catering, clubs, sports and recreational activities. The Group also co-ordinates all healthy lifestyle activities within the Force.
The Welfare Services Group is responsible for welfare and resettlement services provided to members of the Force.
The Support Group offers a variety of staff welfare projects and support services, including group insurance plans, Police souvenirs, staff purchase schemes, holiday homes and hotel packages. It also assists in administering the Police Welfare Fund and the two Police Education Trusts.
The Psychological Services Group promotes positive mental health and work-life balance among Force members and provides them with professional counselling. It also runs a psychometric testing programme for Police recruitment to help identify psychologically resilient candidates with values aligned to those of the Force.
Personnel Services and Staff Relations Branch
The Group provides administrative support to the Wing, oversees the Force Discipline Adjudication Unit, co-ordinates honours and awards, medals and clasps, medical screening for officers of special units within the Force and handles requests for access to personnel information.
The College comprises six centres and two divisions. It is responsible for all matters relating to training within the Force except internal security, highly specialised training, and Auxiliary and Marine Police training.
The Centre provides basic training for RPCs and PIs as well as firearms and tactics training for serving officers. In addition, the Centre oversees the operation of the Police Band and provides Guards of Honour, Contingents and Flag Parties for all HKSAR level ceremonial events.
The Centre offers local and overseas training programmes on Police leadership and management, seminars on personal effectiveness and awareness of socio-political 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 as well as command courses for officers from other Government departments and overseas LEAs.
The Centre provides a wide range of specialised and generic competency training. It comprises four functional divisions and three subsidiary centres, namely Detective Training Centre, Police Driving and Traffic Training Centre and Research Centre.
Detective Training Centre provides quality in-service detective training for Force members. In addition, the Centre is responsible for training officers in disaster victim identification.
Police Driving and Traffic Training Centre provides traffic and driving training; and handles driving licensing issues within the Force. The centre also provides training on specialised vehicles, as well as support for specific operations.
Research Centre 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 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 actively co-ordinates and supports Knowledge Management initiatives and oversees the operation of the Force Library.
The Division is responsible for the College's administrative and human resources matters and marketing the excellence of the training services of the College through all forms of publishing endeavours including the Intranet and Internet websites.
The Division provides administrative support to the College on matters relating to establishment and strength, budgeting and finance, procurement, stores and management of facilities. It aims to ensure the effective planning and utilisation of human and financial resources available to the College.
The Bureau is responsible for building business strategies in support of the Force's strategic development through the application of information and communications technology. It works with client formations to improve performance and deliver change, and in collaboration with Information Technology Branch and Communications Branch to design, develop and implement information and communications technology solutions that focus on creating value for clients.
The Branch is responsible for planning, designing, developing, implementing and maintaining communications/electronics systems for the Force. It serves as a total communications solutions provider and gives sound technical advice to the Force to address challenging needs in regard to professional mobile communications, video surveillance systems, thermal imaging systems, radar, Force Telephone Systems, Force Mobile Radio Telephones, marine electronics, firing training systems, specialised interactive systems and backbone microwave transmission. It also runs the Information and Communications Network Management Centre, which provides 24-hour assistance to Force information and communications technology users.
The Branch is responsible for the planning and provision of information technology (IT) services to address the business needs of the Force. Its services include conducting IT systems studies; designing, implementing and maintaining IT systems; managing IT projects; providing technical support in IT aspects; developing and maintaining IT infrastructure; and procurement of hardware, software and IT services.
The two Inspection Bureaux conduct reviews and inspections of Police activities on behalf of programme directors and the Commissioner.
The Efficiency Studies Bureau conducts studies in order to optimise the effectiveness and efficiency of all resources employed by the Force in pursuance of its aims and objectives.
The Service Standards Bureau ensures implementation of the service quality strategy that aims to promote efficiency and continuous improvement through staff participation and development of a customer-oriented culture.
The Branch investigates complaints against Police officers and civilian staff working in the Force.
Finance Office manages and controls all financial matters and co-ordinates bids for Force resources.
Forensic Accountants' Office provides forensic accounting and support services to the Police in relation to crime investigation and prosecution.
The Division provides independent appraisals of Force activities, and ensures financial and accounting procedures are properly followed.
The Division procures, supplies, stores and issues uniforms, arms, ammunition, communications equipment and office needs. In addition, it provides advice to Police formations on tender matters.
The Division looks after the Force's civilian staff in matters concerning conduct and discipline, training, appointments, performance management and conditions of service. It also co-ordinates the distribution of Headquarters Orders and manages the Police Museum.
The Division manages the creation and deletion of permanent and supernumerary posts and temporary redeployment of posts for operational needs. It is also responsible for promoting good relations among civilian staff.
The Branch determines long-term manpower and new building requirements based on population growth and infrastructural development as well as planning and overseeing the development of all new Police buildings.
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