Tai Po Junior Police Call (TP JPC) has rolled out a Drug Fighting Elite Scheme in the new academic year for students to understand more about the criminal proceedings from arrest to appearance in court for trial and sentencing. The primary objective of the scheme is to steer them clear of crimes and drugs. 

 

The scheme forms part of "the Other Learning Experience" under the New Senior Secondary Curriculum. The schools participating in the scheme include Carmel Holy Word Secondary School, Hong Kong Taoist Association the Yuen Yuen Institute No. 2 Secondary School, Fanling Rhenish Church Secondary School and St. Francis of Assisi's College.

 

The scheme consists of four stages. In the first stage known as "Simulated Arresting Operation", police officers will introduce to the students police powers, procedures of conducting a search on the street, and the offences youngsters would be more likely to commit, such as possession of dangerous drugs and theft.  

 

The students will act as police officers in simulated cases of possession of dangerous drugs and theft.  They will plan operations, apprehend the "offenders" acted by police officers, and take the "suspects" to police stations. For playing these roles, they will visit the facilities in a police station, for example Report Room, Detention Room, One-way Viewer Identification Parade Room, police vehicles and equipment.

 

In the second stage, a "Legal System Workshop - Dialogue with Lawyers" will be held, in which a senior counsel from the local branch of Rotary International will introduce the legal system and major legal proceedings in Hong Kong. The counsel will also teach the students the trial procedure of a case, definition of laws, techniques of examining witnesses by prosecution and defence, and adducing evidence.

 

Under the counsel's guidance, the students will act as prosecution and defence in a mock court case developed from the "Arresting Operation".

 

In the third stage, the students will act as prosecutor and defence counsel in a "Mock Trial" in the High Court in the presence of the legal practitioners from Rotary Club, bringing the case they have handled to the court for trial before a retired judge.  Upon completion of the trial, "the best prosecutor" and "the best defence counsel" will be selected, and each will be presented with a certificate.

 

In the fourth stage, the students will visit a correctional institution to see the serious consequences of brushing with the law. It is hoped the visit would make them realise the importance of morals and values, as well as personal integrity.