38. In 1988, a total of 26 complaints were received alleging wrongful arrest. All these complaints were investigated by the Complaints Against the Police Office (CAPO), and the investigations were monitored by the Police Complaints Committee. The investigations have been concluded and two cases were substantiated. 39. Under section 26 of the Immigration Ordinance, cap. 115, any member of the Immigration Service of or above the rank of Chief Immigration Officer may detain a person for inquiry for not more than 48 hours, or for not more than a further five days under the authority of an officer of or above the rank of Principal Immigration Officer. The power conferred on the immigration officers is specific and can be exercised only in the circumstances stipulated in the same section of the Ordinance, that is: (a) That inquiry for the purposes of the Ordinance, other than the provisions relating to deportation, is necessary in the case of any person; and (b) That such person may abscond if he is not so detained. CCPR/C/58/Add.6 page 119 The fact that the power of detention may be authorized only by high-ranking officers is designed to prevent abuse of such power. The right of redress by way of habeas—corpus proceedings by the detainees also provides protection against possible abuse of power by the authorities. The power of detention is given to the immigration authorities only in order to enable the machinery of inquiries to be carried out, and this power is limited to the minimum period which is reasonably necessary for that purpose. 40. Immigration statistics show that in 1988 a total of 8,981 persons were detained, 4,919 prosecuted and 4,062 not prosecuted. These figures should be viewed in the context of a total of 20,988 illegal immigrants arrested in 
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing the practices and regulations surrounding immigration and detention in Hong Kong. It provides specific details about the powers of immigration officers, the process of investigation, and statistics on detention and prosecution. Given the focus on immigration and law enforcement, it is likely that the text is related to the field of human rights and governance.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Employment