Acting D OPS Steve Chandler (right front) welcomes new SSLO appointees.

Thirty-three Secondary School Liaison Officers (SSLOs) confirmed their commitment to steering youngsters away from potential dangers or criminal activities upon receipt of appointment certificates presented at a ceremony at the Police Officers' Club on September 19.

The ceremony also marked the official launching of the Secondary School Liaison Officers Programme, designated a major project of the Force over the coming year.

Officiating at the ceremony, Acting Director of Operations Steve Chandler encouraged the 33 SSLOs to maintain a close working relationship with principals, social workers and parents in a co-ordinated effort to prevent student involvement in illegal activities.

Other guests in attendance included Deputy Director of Education Tong Kai-hong, Assistant Director of Social Welfare Cheung Hing-wah, and Chairman of the Commission on Youth Choi Yuen-wan.

To further ensure successful implementation of the programme, a great deal of preparation work had been done including a joint meeting of SSLOs, the staff of the Narcotics Division and the Society for the Rehabilitation of Offenders on September 4 followed by a lecture at the Buddhist Wai Yan Memorial College on Cheung Chau on September 14.

The programme commenced with a series of four seminars, held between September 19 and 26, to clarify various aspects of the programme to secondary school principals and related departments and organisations.

A series of road shows will be held in October to keep Regional and District Commanders informed regarding details of the programme.

Police Community Relations Officers will also arrange local meetings in early October to introduce SSLOs to school discipline masters and social workers. The first round of formal visits by SSLOs is scheduled for late October.

Police will closely monitor the progress of the SSLO programme and two reviews will be conducted, one in February and one in July.



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