THE PORT OF LIVERPOOL POLICE, FORMED IN 1975 AND COMPOSED OF 170 OFFICERS BY JUNE 1979, POLICIES BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER MERSEY AND THE TRANMERE OIL TERMINAL. FORCE MEMBERS RECEIVED A 10-WEEK INITIAL TRAINING COURSE WHICH IS BASED ON THOSE COURSES RUN BY THE DISTRICT POLICE TRAINING CENTERS. OFFICERS RECEIVE ADDITIONAL DOCK-ORIENTED TRAINING THAT CONTINUES THROUGH THE 2-YEAR PROBATIONARY PERIOD. DUTIES INCLUDE PATROL, GATE CONTROL, PREVENTION OF UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO THE DOCKS, CONTROL OF GOODS LEAVING, AND CRIME PREVENTION COUNSELING FOR PORT USERS. PATROL, ON FOOT AND IN CARS, IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE VALUABLE MERCHANDISE HOUSED ON THE DOCKS. POLICE ARE PRESENT AT THE TRANMERE OIL TERMINAL DURING THE LOADING AND UNLOADING OF TANKERS TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY PROCEDURES ARE FOLLOWED. POLICE HAVE STATUTORY POWER TO ENTER AND SEARCH A VESSEL OR VEHICLE WITHIN THE PORT POLICE JURISDICTION IF THERE IS REASONABLE CAUSE TO SUSPECT IT CONTAINS ANYTHING STOLEN AND UNLAWFULLY OBTAINED WITHIN THE PORT. POWER IS ALSO GRANTED TO POLICE TO STOP AND SEARCH ANY PERSON REASONABLY SUSPECTED OF CARRYING ANYTHING UNLAWFULLY OBTAINED WITHIN THE PORT POLICE JURISDICTION. THE PORT POLICE ALSO HAVE DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES DIRECTED MAINLY AT THE CANNABIS SMUGGLED IN MANY INDIAN AND AFRICAN SHIPS. (RCB)