Director of Operations Wong Chi-hung officiated at the 3rd Security Services Best Training Award (BTA) Presentation Ceremony on March 19, where 36 security companies were commended.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wong pointed out that the award scheme aimed at encouraging security companies to develop long-term training programmes to enhance the quality and professional competence of their security staff. "This would help the Hong Kong Police Force maintain law and order and provide an environment conducive to the long-term development of the security industry," he noted.

Mr Wong went on to say that the Force had been, through various means, motivating the industry to provide quality services. Besides regularly visiting security companies and providing guidelines to the management and the practitioners, each Regional Crime Prevention Office organises the Best Security Guards Award regularly to recognise the achievements of the practitioners," he said.

Launched for the third year, the BTA is jointly organised by the Force's Crime Prevention Bureau and the Security Services Training Board of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), with the support of the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority (SGSIA).

The BTA comprises four categories: "Type I Security Company Licence" (offering general security service with 501 or more staff), "Type I Security Company Licence" (offering general security service with 500 or less staff), "Type II Security Company Licence" (offering armoured transportation service), and "Type III Security Company Licence" (offering design, installation, maintenance and repair service of security systems).

A selection panel comprising representatives of the Force, VTC and SGSIA, assessed the resources allocated for training by the companies participating in the award scheme. Selection criteria included the number of training hours and the staff involved in the past 12 months, coverage of training courses and the involvement and support of the management. Gold, Silver, Bronze and Merit awards were presented to the winning security companies to recognise their efforts to enhance the professional competence of their staff.