In the early days after establishment of the Force in 1844, tools such as flags, flares, rockets, Aldis lamps, whistle, telegraph and telephone were used for communications purposes. Following installation of the first repeater on the Victoria Peak in 1951, the Force's communications system was improved significantly. In 1955, the Communications and Transport (C&T) Branch was established to provide communications support to the Force. Facing the challenges posed by the rapid developments in society and the need for better communications support and services, the Communications Branch (COMMS) became an independent unit from C&T in 1983. 

 

In the beginning, there were less than 20 officers under the Telecommunications Controller. Todate, the Chief Telecommunications Engineer (CTE) takes charge of over 200 professional and technical officers in the Information Systems Wing , who support over 20 communications systems and all electronics equipment used by the Force.

 

To mark its 30th Anniversary, COMMS Branch has staged the "Historical Development of Force Communications" exhibition in conjunction with Police Museum. Director of Management Services Tang How-kong, Director of Personnel and Training Chau Kwok-leung, who is Chairman of the Force Museum Advisory Committee, Assistant Commissioner (Information Systems) Peter Else and CTE Jolly Wong officiated at the opening of the exhibition in Police Museum on June 18.

 

The exhibition features the communications equipment used by the Force in the last half century, the developments of Communications Branch and the changes of beat radios and supporting communication services for land and sea operations. There are also hands-on exhibits, including the Morse code emulator, "999" telephone demonstration and a radar used by police launches.

 

The exhibition will conclude on October 31. A special postcard is available for visitors free of charge.