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Great FTR DEAR SIR, I noticed an article on the fitness training room (FTR) at Sau Mau Ping Police Station in OFFBEAT. A Work Improvement Team has been set up to ensure that the best use is made of the room, and that it is well taken care of. As SP Sports & Recreation Division, I applaud this initiative. Although we have done our best to purchase durable equipment and to provide good support towards the management and maintenance of FTRs, the fact remains that they require daily supervision to ensure that standards remain high. In lieu of S&R Division's recent rationalisation of manpower, I suggest to formations that a WIT assigned to help maximise use and maintain safety is a very positive step forward. An FTR WIT will also encourage a feeling of ownership of the facility among the officers in respective formations. We hope everyone enjoys using the new equipment. Well done Sau Mau Ping, I hope more formations will follow suit. Mak Kwai-sing SP S&R PS

A question of bullets DEAR SIR, Rumours are currently circulating that Police Headquarters is considering the withdrawal of speedloaders and the extra six rounds of ammunition. Is this a good move? Violent crimes may be on the decrease and the number of open fire cases falling with no police officer firing more than six rounds in one incident since about 1993, however dropping crime figures and a decrease in violent incidents should not lull us into a false sense of security and complacency. The recent arrest in the mainland of Cheung Tze-keung (a.k.a. Big Spender) should serve as a reminder that things could turn bad at any time. Among his most audacious plans was to blow up parts of Stanley prison, free his partner, Yip Kai-foon, and to kidnap at least one more (Hong Kong) tycoon. Imagine being the first officer to arrive at the scene of such an incident; would you rather face the culprits with six or twelve rounds? If there is such a drop in crime figures, does the Force plan to take away shotguns and MP-5s from Regional EUs? Are there plans to cut other units such as SDU, or to cut down on intelligence units such as CIB? The UB officer on the street would see himself as a "victim" if half of his ammunition was taken away. There is more at stake than cutting costs, training time, or even freeing up a little space on an overcrowded belt. Complacency kills police officers. Cost cutting can also kill police officers. I for one suggest that the proposal to drop the extra six rounds of ammunition be binned. Inspector Nick Pearson Police Training School REPLY . . . DEAR SIR, As your readers will no doubt know, Support Wing has been trialing several items of new equipment such as batons, handcuffs and OC foam. We are, however, cognisant of the fact that beat officers already carry a great deal of weight on their duty belt and would not welcome more, no matter how good the equipment. A number of options to make more space and reduce weight on the belt were investigated. One of these was the removal of the speedloader and six spare rounds. It was recognised that this would be an emotive issue and, in order that uninformed rumours did not start to circulate, the Staff Associations were briefed and their views sought at the very outset. Never was it suggested that the removal of six rounds of ammunition was on the grounds of cost which, in terms of the Force's overall budget, is a mere bagatelle. A decision about exactly what equipment is to be carried by beat officers has yet to be made, however, may I assure your correspondent that the Force most certainly will not compromise the safety of police officers to save money. Yours faithfully C W Mitchell for ACP SUP

OBITUARY Cyril Gordon March 1926-1998 FORMER Chief Superintendent C G Freddie March died on 13 August 1998 in Wetherby, England. Mr March, who joined the Hong Kong Police in 1948, saw a distinguished career that included a Commendation by the Commissioner of Police for his good work done while in the Special Branch in 1954; a Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service in 1966; and a Colonial Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and 1st Clasp in 1971. Former CSP March retired from the Force in 1974. His funeral was held in the local Wetherby church followed by internment. He was 72.