[ Foreword ] [ Memorable Events ] [ The Hand of Partnership ] [ Operations ] [ Regional Commanders' Report ] [ Personnel and Training ]
[ Management Services ]
[ Professional Equipment ] [ Finance, Administration and Planning ] [ Environmental Report ] [ Organisation ]
[ Annexes and Appendices ]
Commissioner Tsang Wai-hung (middle), together with Deputy Commissioner (Management) Lo Wai-chung (second from left) , Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Wong Chi-hung (second from right), Director of Operations Lau Yip-shing (first from left), and Assistant Commissioner (Operations) Cheung Tak-keung (first from right), concludes Police operations regarding the unlawful "occupy movement" at a press conference.
The law and order situation continued to improve in 2014, with the total number of overall crime and violent crime reports falling by 7.1 per cent and 8.9 per cent respectively in comparison with 2013. The overall crime rate and the violent crime rate per 100,000 population also improved to 935 and 153, respectively, as compared to 1,014 and 169 in 2013. The detection rate stood at 43.4 per cent for overall crime and 61.9 per cent for violent crime, an increase of 0.2 percentage point and a decrease of 2.6 percentage points, respectively, as compared to 2013.
The decrease in crime was attributable to significant reductions in homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, indecent assault, serious drug offences, arson, and wounding and serious assault. The number of robbery and burglary cases recorded in 2014 reached record lows, respectively, since 1969 and 1971.
Running counter to this welcome trend, blackmail and deception were the two major categories reaching a noticeable rise of 20.7 per cent and 17.9 per cent respectively. This was attributable to the continued rise in the number of "naked chat" related blackmail cases and internet related deception.
The Organized Crime and Triad Bureau holds a RenoSafe Scheme seminar to remind homeowners to stay alert to building renovation-related crimes.
The Force and the Home Affairs Bureau give a press conference to promote the message of "Do not Gamble!" with a view to combating illegal gambling.
In 2014, the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau continued to undertake proactive and intelligence-led operations to combat organised and serious crime and triad activities, particularly those involving cases of serious violence, syndicated vice, loan-sharking, human trafficking and syndicated vehicle theft. During the year, four major operations including two undercover operations against various prominent triad societies were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 487 triad members for various triad-related criminal activities. Six vehicle theft syndicates were also neutralised in the year, with eight persons arrested and 10 vehicles recovered.
Partnership with law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions remained a top priority. In June, the Bureau took the lead and conducted a joint operation with the Public Security Bureau of Shenzhen against a cross-boundary bookmaking syndicate, resulting in the arrest of 26 persons, and seizure of $11.1 million in cash and betting records with a face value of $370 million. Between June and July, the Bureau also co-ordinated Force-wide enforcement actions against illegal bookmaking activities during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, resulting in the arrest of 176 persons, and the seizure of $130 million in cash and more than $750 million worth of betting slips.
During the year, the Bureau continued its concerted efforts with other stakeholders in mounting the RenoSafe Scheme, a crime prevention project to prevent the use of unlawful means to interfere with the tendering process of buildings renovation works for gain. So far, 899 buildings have joined the scheme.
The Criminal Intelligence Bureau organises intelligence training courses for the National Police University of China.
The Criminal Intelligence Bureau (CIB) continued to play a pivotal role in the implementation of intelligence-led policing to proactively target triad and organised crime activities. The Bureau maintained effective intelligence channels and pursued capacity-building opportunities with the Mainland, Macao and overseas law enforcement agencies (LEAs). The Bureau also organised criminal intelligence analysis training and expert witness seminars on triads and gambling. The two expert cadres on triads and gambling, administered by the CIB, have played an indispensable role in the prosecution of triad and syndicated gambling offences by offering expert evidence in courts.
The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) focuses on tackling serious and complex frauds, technology crimes and counterfeit monetary instruments both in Hong Kong and overseas.
In July, the CCB rolled out a new scam prevention platform – Fight Scams Together – to heighten public awareness of the various frauds and scams commonly used by fraudsters. It aimed at engaging all sectors of the community. Members of the public can now easily gain access to the latest information and preventive messages concerning different frauds and scams via the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application, the Police Public Page and the Hong Kong Police YouTube Channel.
The Bureau worked closely with LEAs in the Philippines, Singapore, the United States of America and the United Kingdom to combat syndicates involved in "naked chat" blackmail cases over the Internet. In April and August, the CCB conducted intelligence analysis in support of the operations, resulting in the arrest of 66 culprits, who were involved in over 100 such cases in Hong Kong.
In September, the CCB mounted a joint operation in collaboration with LEAs of the Mainland, Taiwan and Macao against a sophisticated transnational telephone deception syndicate and its related money-laundering activities, resulting in the neutralisation of the syndicate with 31 persons arrested and over $13 million of crime proceeds seized or frozen.
The Technology Crime Division (TCD) continued to closely collaborate with overseas partners to co-ordinate different parties in the fight against cyber crime. The Cyber Security Centre has been acknowledged as one of the leading institutions for protecting Hong Kong's critical infrastructure against cyber attacks. The Cyber Security Symposium 2014, hosted by the TCD in January, attracted over 250 participants from the public and private sectors in Hong Kong.
The TCD will be expanded to become an individual formation under the name of Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau. The Bureau will strive to enhance cyber security and fight technology crime to ensure that Hong Kong citizens are well protected in the cyber world.
TCD officers attend a meeting with INTERPOL representatives in connection with an operation targeting "naked chat" blackmail cases in Manila.
Hosted by the TCD in January, Cyber Security Symposium 2014 aims at strengthening liaison with local stakeholders and promoting cyber security in the community.
Between September 5 and October 4, the Narcotics Bureau mounted an exhibition entitled A Diamond Police Formation to Beat Drugs for a Better Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
In 2014, the Bureau continued to collaborate with Mainland and overseas LEAs to tackle transnational drug trafficking. These strategic partnerships led to the dismantling of 26 drug manufacturing or storing sites in the Mainland and overseas, and the seizure of 1,126 kg of illicit drugs and 1.17 tonne of precursor chemicals.
In 2014, a total of 4, 432 persons were arrested for drug offences, 30 per cent and 28 per cent of which were involved in ketamine and methamphetamine respectively.
Under the co-ordination of the Security Bureau, the Narcotics Bureau works closely with other stakeholders in facilitating legislative amendments and devising timely and effective intervention strategies against the emergence of new drugs. Since November 28, alpha-phenylacetoacetonitrile, and methoxetamine and relevant derivatives were controlled under both the Control of Chemical Ordinance and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance respectively.
During an intelligence-led operation, the Narcotics Bureau seizes 51 kg of methamphetamine.
The Narcotics Bureau organises an exhibition – A Diamond Police Formation to Beat Drugs for a Better Hong Kong – to enable visitors to better understand the work of the Bureau.
Narcotics Bureau officers attend the 17th Annual Meeting of the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering in Macao.
The Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) and the Financial Investigations Division (FID) of the Narcotics Bureau remain committed to combating money laundering and terrorist financing activities.
The JFIU maintained close and effective international co-operation through exchanges of financial intelligence with overseas counterparts. JFIU officers also took part in organising seminars for financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions to convey message of combating money laundering.
The efforts of the FID, together with other investigation units in the Force, led to a total of 143 persons convicted of money laundering offences with criminal assets of $312 million and $202 million respectively restrained and confiscated in 2014.
The Bureau actively participated in the international conferences of the Financial Action Task Force, the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. During the year, a new division, namely the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment Unit, was established within the Bureau to assist the Government in co-ordinating risk assessment exercises in Hong Kong.
The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to offer professional crime prevention advice through a wide range of publicity channels including leaflets for overseas visitors, media briefings, seminars, and exhibitions of security equipment, as well as promotions through the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application, the Hong Kong Police YouTube Channel and the Internet. The Bureau also continued its partnership with the security industry to ensure that security companies and their security personnel provide high quality service.
The Liaison Bureau endeavours to establish a strong partnership with Mainland, Macao and Taiwan authorities as well as INTERPOL members.
During the year, in addition to hosting the 20th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Tripartite Heads of Criminal Investigation Department Meeting, the Bureau also arranged high-level visits to international strategic partners and collaborated with overseas LEAs by signing bilateral agreements. In November, during the 83rd INTERPOL General Assembly in Monaco, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Force and the Indonesian National Police. To further collaborate with INTERPOL members from all over the world, the usage of the INTERPOL's intelligence tool, namely the I-24/7, was extended to other Crime Wing Bureaux and local LEAs.
Crime Prevention Bureau officer, together with the Robotcop, conveys anti-crime messages to kindergarten students.
The Identification Bureau continued to provide professional fingerprint examination, firearms related forensic services, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) collections and photographic services to the Force and other LEAs. From September onwards, the Fingerprint and Palmprint Livescan System was fully implemented Force-wide, and in other LEAs, to improve the operational efficiency of the entire arrest, identification and prosecution process.
The Criminal Records Bureau continued to provide round-the-clock supportive services to frontline Police officers and other Government departments in regard to information available on the Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System.
The Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit maintained vigilance by formulating and implementing Force policies, procedures and training on abusive offences, which included child and elder abuse, as well as domestic, family and sexual violence. The Unit adopts a multi-agency and cross-sectoral approach to tackle such offences in pursuit of the twin goals of protecting victims and prosecuting abusive offenders where appropriate.
The Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System assisted Force-wide units, as well as other Government departments, in the efficient management of large quantities of information to improve the effectiveness of complex investigations.
The Witness Protection Unit continued to provide advice to other overseas LEAs on matters concerning witness protection through experience sharing.
Delegates of the 20th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Tripartite Heads Criminal Investigation Department Meeting discuss how to cope with the challenges of tripartite law enforcement co-operation.
Counter Terrorism Response Unit officers patrol the mass transportation system.
Confined Space Search Team officers are equipped with professional search and breathing equipment to cope with operational needs.
The Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Division is responsible for planning and implementation of Force-level policy matters relating to counter terrorism and internal security. The Division ensures the Force's preparedness and maintains close liaison and co-ordination with other Government departments, as well as private and public agencies to combat the threat of terrorism.
The Counter Terrorism Response Unit of this Division, apart from conducting counter-terrorist patrols at designated locations, also provides high-profile defensive coverage at sensitive premises throughout the territory, including critical infrastructures, mass transportation systems and premises of significance. The Unit regularly participates in joint training exercises with other operational units to enhance its response capability to counter any terrorist attack.
The Force Search Unit, established in 1992, is a volunteer secondary-duty cadre responsible for developing and delivering a professional search capability for the Force. The Unit mainly searches for improvised explosive devices and weapons. Assistance and advice are also provided for all types of constabulary search including crime scenes as well as other searches should a technical search capability or use of specialised search equipment be required.
In 2014, the Police Dog Unit had 127 dogs trained in patrol, drug detection, tracking or explosive search. The Unit also adopted suitable dogs from the public, the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, to be trained as Police dogs to serve the community.
The Police Dog Unit undertakes security searches at the airport.
Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Headquarters provides training to the Force on internal security, crowd management, public order and a range of tactical issues. The Unit has significantly developed its training to meet the changing needs of the public order environment. In 2014, PTU Headquarters conducted a series of large-scale thematic training sessions to prepare for different potential public disorder situations. In addition, PTU Headquarters invited the Independent Police Complaints Council to attend a demonstration on the tactics used for handling public order events.
During the year, the Singapore Police Force and Public Security Police Force of Macao were invited by PTU Headquarters to attach to a four-week PTU Cadre Course training encompassing basic internal security tactics, public order policing theory and leadership development in order to strengthen working relationships between the Force and LEAs of other regions.
PTU Headquarters continued to provide additional manpower to support frontline units in handling various major operations. As a means of strengthening the relationship between the Police and the community, different community groups were invited to watch the final rehearsals of the PTU Companies' Passing-out Parade.
Police Tactical Unit officers' passing-out parade.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau is responsible for all bomb disposal work, including rendering safe unexploded ordnance from World War II. The Bureau also works in partnership with other Force units, Government departments, and LEAs around the world to provide a critical counter-terrorism capability for Hong Kong.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau officer shows a wartime bomb being safely disposed.
In addition to supporting frontline commanders in various tasks involving unusual positioning, the Force Abseiling Cadre (FAC) continuously offers training courses on operational access and safety techniques to different Force units. During the year, the FAC further extended these courses to officers from special units of other Government departments to strengthen networking and share good practices. Four FAC members were accredited as Personal Protective Equipment Inspector and Special Anchorage System Trainer and Assessor in France. These qualifications reinforce FAC's role as a consulting party for operational work-at-height techniques and safety in the Force.
Force Abseiling Cadre offers training to officers.
The Police Public Engagement Office (PPEO) is responsible for establishing effective communication and long-term relationships with academics, stakeholders and relevant organisations, with a view to enhancing public engagement strategy. The PPEO will continue to establish close connections and strengthen co-operation with different parties to facilitate peaceful public events. During the year, the PPEO organised trainings, sharing sessions and workshops for frontline officers and also provided on-site liaison support to Police Community Relations Officers and frontline commanders during major public order events.
The Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC) consists of a group of dedicated volunteer Police officers who are available round-the-clock as a secondary duty to save life and resolve crisis situation through negotiation. The core values of the Cadre are Passion, Noble and Commitment.
The Cadre conducts regular joint exercises with key stakeholders locally and participates in international negotiators' conferences and trainings with a view to enhancing its professionalism and international co-operation. The Cadre also organises crisis negotiation and suicide intervention workshops for other members of disciplinary services as well as social workers, school principals and mental health professionals.
In 2014, in order to enhance the personal and professional qualities of PNC members, 19 members successfully completed the postgraduate diploma in Public Order Studies (Crisis Negotiation) awarded by The University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education.
First batch of Police Negotiation Cadre officers has completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Order Studies (Crisis Negotiation) run by The University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education.
The Briefing Support Unit is an integral part of the Force's counter terrorist response capability. The primary role of the Unit is to construct models to scale to support operational planning and briefing for terrorist incidents. In recent years, the Unit has contributed to the investigations and inquests of a number of major incidents.
In 2014, the Force Escort Group (FEG) provided 1,156 man-days in escort operations that totalled 72 mobilisations of different nature, including escort of visiting VIPs, People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, arms and ammunition as well as valuable properties. Three FEG officers visited the Korean National Police Agency to further strengthen co-operation and share good practices on escort tactics.
The Force Escort Group is a volunteer secondary-duty cadre responsible for escort duty.
The Occupational Safety and Health Cadre consists of 24 members, each of whom is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, United Kingdom. The Cadre's primary responsibility is to provide risk assessment, risk management and accident investigation training to Force members in order to ensure Force-wide compliance with the "Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance". During the year, the Cadre provided qualification training for over 500 Force members and safety induction training for over 1,100 RPCs at the Hong Kong Police College.
During the year, members attended the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2014 organised jointly by the International Labour Organization and the International Social Security Association in Germany.
The Police Licensing Office is responsible for processing and issuing various types of licences and permits on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, processing societies registration, handling licence related enquiries, reviewing and implementing licensing policies, and facilitating the work of other licensing authorities. The Office also oversees the Force policy on public order events.
In 2014, the Office uploaded a total of 927 sets of conditions imposed in respect of notifiable public order events to the Police website. The relevant information can also be browsed via the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application. In addition, the Office processed 62,217 security personnel permit applications, 112 massage establishment licence applications, 210 pawnbroker licence applications and 5,801 liquor licence applications. Since September, the list of registered or exempted from registration societies has also been uploaded to the Police website for public view.
In 2014, Phase III of the Enhanced Arms Licensing Regulatory Regime was launched where non-scheduled inspections against arms licensees were conducted to enhance public safety and security.
During the year, the Office arranged visits to liquor licensed premises for Liquor Licensing Board (LLB) members and representatives of relevant Government departments to offer an overview of the latest situation regarding these premises. In May, the Office invited the chairman and members of LLB as guest speakers to the annual licensing seminar to share views on how the liquor licensing regime could be best improved.
The Police Licensing Office provides quality service to members of the public.
The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) continued to enlist public support in maintaining law and order by working in partnership with the media and the community. Information about Police activities was disseminated round-the-clock to local and overseas media. In March, an interactive electronic platform for disseminating information on unforeseen incidents to the media was formally launched. The PPRB also assisted the Fight Crime Committee in planning and implementing its publicity campaigns. The PPRB's "Police Magazine", "Police Report" and "Police Bulletin" provide information on crime trends and crime prevention measures.
The PPRB also continued to enhance public understanding of policing activities, crime prevention messages, etc, through the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application and the Hong Kong Police YouTube Channel. In addition, the PPRB assisted local and overseas TV broadcasters and film production companies in producing TV dramas, documentaries and films related to Police work, as well as liaising with relevant Government departments in regard to location filming. During the year, the PPRB published a fortnightly newspaper, "OffBeat"; a monthly "Junior Police Call Newsletter"; and "Hong Kong Police Review".
Twenty-one fight crime ambassadors visit New South Wales Police and Victoria Police to understand their work.
Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force officer introduces his job duties to Education and Careers Expo visitors.
Members of the public were informed of Police policies and operational priorities by Police Community Relations Officers, while the Junior Police Call Scheme and the Police School Liaison Programme served as bridges between the Police and young people.
Police districts organised various programmes to engage members of the community who are non-ethnic Chinese (NEC).Yau Tsim District and Yuen Long District respectively launched Project Gemstone and Project Himalaya to encourage these members of the community to join the Police Force and to provide them with relevant training. In addition, Police Community Liaison Assistants have been recruited in 14 Police districts to help establish a long-term relationship between the Police and members of the community who are NEC.
In February, the PPRB fully implemented the Senior Police Call Scheme to promote crime prevention and personal safety for the elderly as well as to provide them with a platform to participate in meaningful activities and serve the community.
This year, 80 citizens received awards under the Good Citizen Award Scheme. The scheme, organised by the Hong Kong Police Force and sponsored by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, aims at recognising citizens' assistance in helping the Force to fight crime.
During the year, the Force installed the Enhanced Driver Safety System (EDSS) in all new Police vehicles to improve driver safety. The EDSS consists of five cameras: two cameras at the front, one camera at the rear, one capturing the dashboard, and one capturing the front left-hand-side blind spot of the vehicle. The EDSS provides a comprehensive view for the driver to operate the vehicle more safely, which positively influences a driver's attitude, and also offers an accurate record if traffic accident occurs.
Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force plays an important role in supporting the regular Force's frontline crowd management operations and beat patrol duties. In 2014, the Auxiliary Force continued to be strengthened with volunteers from all walks of life including fully employed citizens and full-time university students. The Auxiliary Force now comprises about 4,000 members of all ranks integrated with the regular Force.
2014 saw unprecedented challenges for the Force. Between September and December, protestors unlawfully assembled and blocked a number of major thoroughfares in Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok. Groups of protestors took violent action against Police cordons resulting in numerous disturbances. In Operation SOLARPEAK, the Force successfully conducted crowd management, dealt with emergencies, reopened the illegally occupied roads, as well as restored public order in an impartial, unbiased and professional manner.
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