Force marches on without missing a beat 1997 - A Year Of Transition

FROM the first day of July 1997 the Royal Hong Kong Police Force will become the Police Force of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, a part of the People's Republic of China. Apart from the change to the name and insignia, the essential elements for maintaining safety and stability will remain unchanged, which means: The Commissioner of Police will remain responsible to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong and will not be subordinate to the Public Security Ministry in Beijing. The Force rank and organisational structure will remain unchanged. The Force will retain the sole responsibility for the policing of Hong Kong's border with China, which will remain in place. The Force will continue to implement the existing laws of Hong Kong and continue to place those arrested for criminal acts before the courts of Hong Kong for trial under those laws. The Force will continue to be a part of Interpol, the International Police Organisation. Both Chinese and English will continue to be used. New members of the Force will continue to be recruited from among the permanent residents of Hong Kong. Promotion and advancement will continue to be based upon ability and performance. The strict code of conduct and discipline will remain unchanged. On the first of July 1997, the Force will of course drop the word Royal from its title. While the Force badge and a few other items of uniform will be replaced, apart from these very superficial and cosmetic changes there will be minimum disruption to police work and no changes to the professional way in which all members of the Force are sworn to carry out their duties.

Chris Patten visits PHQ for the lasttime as Guv

"It's business as usual"after handover say Asian Interpol delegates