Hong Kong Police Review 2021

New voluntary Contingent to help fight virus

Anti-epidemic work is never the business of just one person or one department. In the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Force formed the Police Anti-Coronavirus Contingent, comprising more than 100 volunteers who were regular and retired officers, to render support to government departments. The team was deployed to the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre in preparation for its opening and the handling of daily quarantine-related tasks, and also to border control points to help inbound travellers put on electronic wristbands.

Policing quarantine centres to ensure order

The Police took up the responsibility of securing Hong Kong's first quarantine centre, Chun Yeung Estate, with strong determination despite facing the twin pressures of curbing the epidemic and maintaining law and order as social unrest persisted. Apart from their security duties, officers have since involved themselves in taking care of the diverse needs of occupants in isolation facilities and collaborating with other departments and contractors. Officers always go the extra mile to ensure every quarantine task is properly implemented.

Offer of JPC@Pat Heung for quarantine needs

To deal with the initial dearth of isolation facilities, the Force offered to lend the Government the Pat Heung Junior Police Call (JPC) Permanent Activity Centre as a quarantine facility, providing 208 quarantine units. JPC members also join the service team at the centre to handle enquiries from occupants, and to arrange and deliver supplies according to their needs.

Contact-tracing to break chains of infection

Police officers from different units have been seconded to three Contact Tracing Offices (CTOs) to trace transmission sources and close contacts of confirmed cases so as to break chains of infection in the community. At the peak of the epidemic, almost 200 officers were seconded to the CTOs. They input data from the Department of Health (DH) and other channels for analysis. In addition, Regional Missing Persons Unit officers assist the DH in the execution of quarantine orders, minimising the spread of the virus via suspected cases of infection.

Lockdown of compulsory test sites to contain outbreaks

The Force spares no effort to support the enforcement of 'restriction-testing declarations' (RTDs) by working in concert with other government departments to help residents undergo the compulsory testing exercise in an orderly manner for the purpose of detecting COVID-positive cases. As of end-2021, the Force had taken part in 53 RTD operations. In addition, the Force Media Liaison Cadre is deployed to various restricted areas where necessary to support frontline officers in facilitating media activities, so that journalists can carry out their reporting without affecting police operations.

Crackdown on coronavirus-related scams

The Police have stepped up enforcement action against coronavirus-related scams. Between February and March 2020, when the public's anti-epidemic resources were scarce, the Force received 1,633 reports of online shopping scams related to face masks. Officers quickly launched Operation SINGLEMOUNT and arrested 34 people in 351 mask-related scams. Separately, arrests were made in connection with cheating the Anti-epidemic Fund and the 100% Personal Loan Guarantee Scheme, and forging COVID-19 vaccination records in 2021, ensuring government resources are genuinely allocated to people in need and clearing the way for the smooth implementation of anti-epidemic measures.

Two-pronged strategy to curb spread of virus

In operations codenamed PINETOWER, the Force joins hands with other law enforcement agencies to issue fixed-penalty notices to people who violate the group gathering ban and do not wear masks properly in public places. The Force also carries out promotion and education about hygiene while maintaining stringent law enforcement. This two-pronged strategy helps minimise the spread of the virus.