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Bail DEAR SIR, As part of the Force's on-going review of both its external and internal services, Support Wing is currently examining the existing orders and procedures in relation to police bail. Within the Force there no doubt exists a wealth of experience and opinion held by those officers who are involved on a day-to-day basis with the granting, processing and administration of police bail. It is to those officers that we turn. I should be grateful for constructive comments, opinions or suggestions on police bail and how to improve the present system. Submissions can be made in writing to the ACP Support (Attn: SIP G1) or by telephone to the SIP G1 on 2860-2544 or fax 2529-1544. The results of this exercise will be published in due course. An accepted submission will be put before the Police Staff Suggestion Committee for consideration of a cash award for the author. G D O' Neill SIP G1 SUP W

Lantau Race 1998 DEAR SIR, The Force has always supported its members' involvement in healthy lifestyle activities by encouraging officers to participate in sports events, with running being one of the most simple, common and popular. Last year's inaugural Lantau Race excluded all applicants except those from NTS. Much to my regret, the NTS organiser has once again put restrictions on those who can participate in the upcoming race accepting only a small number of "token" participants from different regions. I believe that the distance from Shek Pik to Tai O is about 14 kilometres and can accommodate a larger number of people than the few hundred allowed to run in the Lantau Race-it's just a matter of whether the organiser is willing to overcome difficulties encountered. For example, if there is inadequate manpower to help out, the organiser should strive to enlist more people; or if the route poses a safety risk by overcrowding, precautions such as allowing participants to start at different times should be considered. The 10 kilometer race at Plover Cove last January saw about 3,000 participants run back and forth five times over its distance of two kilometers. The ability of the race's commercial organiser in making this event a success is admirable and I believe the Force also has the ability to organise a similar event. More than 1,000 people took part in the Dowman Road Race last year. Had the number of runners unexpectedly exceeded the organiser's estimations, I doubt that they would have made feeble excuses to discourage or refuse the participation of some or all of the applicants? I hope that the organiser of this year's Lantau Race can find ways to allow more Force members from other formations to participate. SDPC Lam Kong-shek KW RIU M O Sec REPLY . . . DEAR SIR, I have personally run the Lantau Race route which is entirely unsuited to unlimited runners taking part for a number of reasons. Unlike many other race locations, there is no road access the length of the route which limits emergency rescue should the need arise. And unlike many other race locations, large sections of the route are unpaved and this limits the access of runners, thereby creating dangerous bottlenecks. Also, because access to and from the race is via Tung Chung Road, allowing unlimited runners (and their vehicles) to enter the event would create considerable traffic flow problems and greatly inconvenience local residents and road users. It is somewhat disingenuous to compare this event with such races as the Dowman and the Plover Cove since they take place on roads and hence lend themselves to accommodating larger numbers of participants (although even their routes could not accept unlimited runners as suggested). The decision to open up the Lantau Race to other formations was taken in light of the run's obvious popularity last year and the wish, on the part of the organisers, to share the event with as many runners as was considered feasible. There is, however, no requirement for NTS to make this event available on a Force-wide basis. Indeed, if the Lantau Race was considered to be as decisive as the author of the letter suggests, then it might be fairer if the run was left entirely as an NTS event where it could be properly appreciated. Finally, there is nothing to stop other formations/units inaugurating their own events should they feel strongly that they need more opportunities to participate in the ongoing healthy lifestyles campaign. In this regard, I will be happy to offer my advice to anyone requiring it. P R Morgan Chairman Lantau Run 1998 Organising Committee