Code on Access to Information

The Government exists to serve the community well within available resources.  To this end, it recognises the need for the community to be well informed about the Government, the services it provides and the basis for policies and decisions that affect individuals and the community as a whole.

The Code on Access to Information (the Code) defines the scope of information that will be provided, sets out how the information will be made available either routinely or in response to a request, and lays down procedures governing its prompt release.

The Code authorises and requires civil servants, routinely or on request, to provide information unless there are specific reasons for not doing so.  These reasons are set out in Part 2 and will normally be referred to if a request for information is refused.

Requests for information will be handled as promptly and helpfully as possible and if necessary, members of the public may be approached to clarify their requests or the requests may be directed to the most appropriate department.  Procedures will be kept as simple as possible.

The Code also sets out procedures for review or complaint if a member of the public considers that the provisions of the Code have not been properly applied.

A Senior Executive Officer / Executive Officer in each Major Formation within the Hong Kong Police Force has been designated as the Major Formation Access to Information Officer (MFAIO) and all District Executive Officers in Police districts have been designated the District Access to Information Officers (DAIO).

They are responsible for ensuring that requests for information under the Code on Access to Information are properly dealt with in accordance with the specified procedures. Requests for information held by the Police Force may be made by letter or by application form (now also online, below).

Applications should be addressed to the respective MFAIO or DAIO as appropriate. The following records have been uploaded onto the Police Internet Homepage to members of the public for inspection:

• Organisation charts of the Police Force;
• A copy of Performance Pledges;
• A list of major categories of records held by the Police Force;
• A list of information either published or made available free of charge;
• Two administrative procedures flow charts for handling access to information requests made under the Code; and
• A copy of the Code on Access to Information and the Guidelines on Interpretation and Application

Other than publications / information which are available free of charge, or at cost specified, the following photocopying charge will be levied :

Photocopying black and white on A3 or A4 size paper

: HK $1 per photocopy*

(Note : Unless otherwise provided by enactment or approved by the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury.) (In this context, a document usually means a booklet, a report, or an enclosure in a file.)

* Photocopying made on both sides of a sheet is counted as two copies.

         You can make an online application for Access to Information here.

Any person who is not satisfied with our decision in handling the Code request may ask for an internal review by writing to relevant Major Formation Commander of the HKPF or complain to the Office of the Ombudsman, Hong Kong, whose address is:

Address:	30/F, China Merchants Tower, Shun Tak Centre, 168-200 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
Telephone:	2629 0555
Fax:	2882 8149

For Enquiries, please contact the respective MFAIO or DAIO during office hours. You can find a list of Access to Information Officers here.