Organisation
Efficiency in Action
The Commissioner of Police is responsible to the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for the administration and operational efficiency of the Force. He is assisted by two Deputy Commissioners, one of whom heads Operations, which is comprised of two headquarters departments: Operations; and Crime and Security. The other heads Management comprising three departments: Personnel and Training; Management Services; and Finance, Administration and Planning.
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
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 policy and relevant orders including boundary security, manning of Headquarters Command and Control Centre, deployment of operational resources, liaison with the Hong Kong Garrison and visiting foreign naval forces.
Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Headquarters
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 trends and regularly reviews the tactics, weapons and equipment to be used in internal security situations and other operational commitments, particularly public order policing, which encompasses public order events and crowd management.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau
Apart from being placed on stand-by to deal with bombs or suspected bombs, the Bureau also provides training to relevant Police units and oversees storage and disposal of ammunition and explosives.
Support Wing
Support Branch
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.
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.
Auxiliary Support Bureau provides a one-stop service in respect of the administration, management and training of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force.
Police Public Relations Branch
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.
Information and Publicity Bureau provides round-the-clock newsroom and other services for the media, and runs Police publicity campaigns.
Traffic Branch Headquarters
The Traffic Branch Headquarters comprises the Traffic Management and Prosecutions Bureau and the Administration Bureau. It formulates and coordinates 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, coordinates the Force's road safety efforts and maintains a close liaison with Government departments and non-governmental organisations on traffic and transport matters. It also oversees traffic wardens.
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
The five Land Regions are commanded through three Regional Command and Control Centres (RCCC). Each Region has a Headquarters with an Emergency Unit (EU), a company of the Police Tactical Unit (PTU), a crime formation and a traffic formation.
The RCCC provides the public with an instant response to 999 emergency calls for help. It is the nerve centre that controls resources at both regional and district levels, and 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 a speedy additional presence of uniformed Police on the streets to combat crime through the operation of mobile patrols within their 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 crimes.
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 services 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.
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 122 vessels - 62 launches and 60 small craft - the Region polices 1 651 square kilometres of Hong Kong waters and 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, Regional Motor Transport Office and the Small Boat Division.
Administration Bureau is responsible for general administration, and the management of regional finance, personnel, establishment and staff relations 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 command 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 provides high quality, accurate and timely intelligence as well as support services to other Force units to prevent and detect organised and serious crimes. The Bureau's intelligence gathering, analysis and dissemination capabilities ensure that reliable intelligence is made available in a timely fashion to units which need it, and that the Force is kept well informed of emerging issues and new forms of criminal activity.
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 to Government departments and the public at large through various mediums, such as security surveys, publicity, security equipment display rooms and Robotcop. It also assists the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority in regulating the local security industry by vetting applications for security company licences and through regular inspections of these companies and their personnel.
Liaison Bureau
LB is responsible for coordinating with law enforcement agencies outside Hong Kong and their liaison officers stationed locally for Police related case enquiries and liaison work. Designated as the office representing Mainland China to deal with all INTERPOL related matters of Hong Kong, LB has the delegated authority to carry out INTERPOL's functions and activities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Identification Bureau
IB provides fingerprint examination and identification, collection of DNA samples and forensic photography service in support of frontline policing. The bureau also renders quality service to the public, including the provision of Certificate of No Criminal Conviction Record, and handling the application for criminal conviction data and Sexual Conviction Record Check.
Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau
In addition to forensic duties, FFEB conducts firearms examination in relation to arms licensing, evaluation of arms and ammunition and testing of bullet-resistant outfits.
Criminal Record 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 arrestable offences from whom DNA samples are retained.
Child Protection Policy Unit
CPPU is responsible for Force policy, procedures and training regarding child and elderly abuse, domestic and sexual violence and juvenile crime.
Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System
MIIDSS is a computer based information handling system that improves the efficiency of processing a large volume of information, thereby enhancing the effectiveness in complex investigations and disaster management.
Witness Protection Unit
WPU runs witness protection programmes, organises training and advises case officers on all aspects of witness protection.
Security Wing
The Wing provides VIP protection, consular liaison and security coordination, including counter-terrorism and related training.
Personnel and Training Department
Personnel Wing
Human Resources Branch
The Branch deals with performance management issues, career development, postings, increments, advancements, promotions, manpower planning and recruitment matters in relation to Police officers.
Conditions of Service and Discipline Branch
The Branch provides services and advice to Force members relating to health management, pay and allowances, quartering and discipline.
Personnel Services and Staff Relations Branch
The Branch delivers personnel, welfare, psychological and staff relations related services through five different groups.
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.
Catering, Clubs and Sports Group provides services in relation to catering, clubs, sports and recreational activities. The Group also coordinates activities in promoting healthy lifestyle within the Force.
Welfare Services Group is responsible for welfare and resettlement services provided to members of the Force.
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.
Psychological Services Group promotes psychological wellness and work-life balance among Force members and provides them with professional counselling service. It also runs a psychometric testing programme in Police recruitment to help identify psychologically resilient candidates with values aligned to those of the Force.
Personnel Wing Headquarters Group
The Group provides administrative support to the Wing, oversees the Force Discipline Adjudication Unit, coordinates honours and awards, medals and clasps, medical screening for special units within the Force and handles requests for access to personnel information.
Hong Kong Police College
The College is responsible for all matters relating to training within the Force except internal security, highly specialised training, and Auxiliary and Marine Police training. It comprises five centres, supplemented by two divisions operating as de facto Centres.
Foundation Training Centre
The Centre provides basic training for recruit constables and inspectors 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 such as the National Day Parade and the Opening of the Legal Year Parade.
Professional Development Learning Centre
The Centre offers local and overseas training programmes in 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 law enforcement agencies.
Learning Development Support Centre
The Centre 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 and learning technologies. It also promotes lifelong learning in the Force through accreditation and continuous development.
Research Centre
The 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 oversees the operation of the Force Library.
College Administration Centre
The Centre is dedicated to the effective and efficient delivery of overall administrative support to the College. It is responsible for the planning and administration of human and financial resources, effective budget planning, expenditure controls, and goods and services procurement for the College.
Police Driving and Traffic Training Division and Detective Training Division
Operating independently of the Foundation Training Centre, the two Divisions are respectively responsible for the provision of in-service traffic training and detective training.
Management Services Department
Information Systems Wing
Business Services Bureau
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.
Communications Branch
The Branch is responsible for planning, designing, developing, implementing and maintaining communications/electronics systems for the Force. It serves as a total communications solution 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.
Information Technology Branch
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.
Service Quality Wing
Research and Inspections Branch
The two Inspection Bureaux conduct reviews and inspections of Police activities on behalf of programme directors and the Commissioner.
Performance Review Branch
Efficiency Studies Bureau conducts studies in order to optimise the effectiveness and efficiency of all resources applied by the Force in pursuance of its aims and objectives.
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.
Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch
The Branch investigates complaints against Police officers and civilian staff working in the Force.
Finance, Administration and Planning Department
Finance Wing
Finance Division
Finance Office manages and controls all financial matters and coordinates bids for Force resources.
Forensic Accountants' Office provides forensic accounting and support services to the Police in relation to crime investigation and prosecution.
Internal Audit Division
The Division provides independent appraisals of Force activities, and ensures financial and accounting procedures are properly followed.
Stores Management Division
The Division procures, supplies, stores and issues uniforms, arms, ammunition, communications equipment and office needs.
Administration Wing
Personnel and General Division
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 distributes Headquarters Orders and manages the Police Museum.
Establishment and Civilian Staff Relations Division
The Division manages 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
The Branch determines long-term manpower and new building requirements based on population growth and infrastructure development as well as planning and overseeing the development of all new Police buildings.