The Force Working Group to Review the Care of Mentally Incapacitated Persons (WG) has recently launched a package of new initiatives to better serve the community of mentally incapacitated persons (MIPs). Apart from seeking the input of frontline officers, the WG has consulted medical professionals and collected the views of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), self-help groups, and MIP parents' associations in devising these new measures.

The WG, which is chaired by Assistant Commissioner (Support), comprises of Force Clinical Psychologists, members from the relevant Policy Wings, Police College and frontline staff representatives. They have worked in partnership with experts from the Social Welfare Department and consultant psychiatrists of the Hospital Authority in enhancing Force services for the MIPs.

The MIP package contains three new measures, namely the Care Card Scheme, Behavioural Indicators Guide, and Notice to Appropriate Adult (Pol. 1150).

The Care Card is made for MIPs and their guardians to fill in information about their emergency contacts, and their medical and communication needs. The Care Card Scheme is operated on a voluntary basis and will assist police officers to identify MIPs as early as possible, and be aware of their needs, as well as ways to contact their parents and guardians to render assistance.

To assist frontline officers in identifying and communicating effectively with MIPs, the Force Clinical Psychologists and consultant psychiatrists of the WG have devised a quick reference tool entitled the Behavioural Indicators Guide (the Guide). The Guide covers the general characteristics of MIPs in three areas: personal circumstances, behavioural and conversational indicators. It has also set out a broad range of guidance on how to better communicate with MIPs.

Moreover, a Notice to Appropriate Adult has been devised to assist the appropriate adult in understanding his/her roles and responsibilities in supporting a MIP in the course of police enquiries. The appropriate adult who is involved in any police enquiry shall be served with the notice.

In preparation for the implementation of the above initiatives, training has been offered to frontline officers on the topic of "Dealing with MIPs", focusing on professional sensitivity, empathy and awareness. The Training Day Package also includes messages from renowned psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and social workers.

Furthermore, the Force has organised various activities to promote communication and develop trust and understanding with the MIP community. These include thematic sharing with NGOs and self-help groups for MIPs, anti-crime seminars to prevent the MIP community from becoming victims of crime, visits to police stations and participation in Police events such as the Police College Open Day.

Details of the MIP package are available on POINT and the Police Public Page.