POLICE restructuring of senior management will today see the formation of a new branch to handle special investigations.
The Crime and Security Wing will also take over many of the responsibilities of the Special Branch, which will be disbanded next month.
In the past year, the Special Branch's functions, including intelligence gathering on pro-China activists, have either been dropped or designated for takeover by the Security Wing.
Director of Crime and Security Senior Assistant Commissioner Tsang Yam-pui has refused to disclose its major tasks.
It is believed the Security Wing, headed by Assistant Commissioner Robin Leung Fung-shun, is being loosely styled on the FBI - targeting renegade community groups and crimes of a bizarre or unusual nature.
Special Branch Commander Deputy Commissioner John Thorpe is about to retire from the force.