The Force constantly seeks to enhance co-ordination and readiness for tackling terrorist incidents. For this objective, it has attended an inter-departmental counter terrorism (CT) exercise led by Security Bureau, and offered a CT training course to the member departments of the Counter Terrorism Emergency Co-ordination Team (CTECT).

Taking place between November 2 and 13, the CT exercise, codenamed "WINDGATE", aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the Hong Kong CT Plan and procedures, strengthening the inter-operability of the Government in conducting a CT operation and heightening CT awareness, co-ordination and readiness among bureaux, departments and public sector organisations.

As part of the exercise, the Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Division of Operations Wing organised a functional exercise on November 10. It was a practical simulation exercise involving deployment of officers on the ground to deal with a terrorist incident and hostage taking at the Kennedy Town MTR Station. The Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, and Director of Operations Lau Yip-shing were present to observe the exercise.

With the deployment of officers from Hong Kong Island Region and Railway District and co-operation and co-ordination with Force units with key CT responsibilities, including Special Duties Unit, Counter Terrorism Response Unit (CTRU), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau and Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC), as well as Fire Services Department and MTR Corporation, the exercise offered a very good opportunity to practise CT response procedures and protocols and enhance co-ordination in command and control in a terrorist situation.

The Incident Commander, Assistant Commissioner (Operations) Cheung Tak-keung, described the exercise as a realistic assessment of the Force's CT capabilities. It had demonstrated that the Force is well prepared to face the challenges posed by global and regional terrorism, he said.

Force enhances inter-departmental co-ordination

In another effort, Operations Wing and Security Wing jointly offered a CT training course for the member departments of the CTECT between October 26 and 28.

Seeking to raise the CT awareness of the departments, the three-day training course succeeded in enhancing mutual understanding, communication and co-ordination of CT efforts. This is the second CT course jointly organised by Operations Wing and Security Wing for CTECT member departments after the last one in 2013.

The CTECT, headed by Deputy Commissioner (Operations), is a dedicated CT forum for senior government officials with CT roles to formulate and co-ordinate effective CT operational strategies for territory-wide security. CTECT members come from Security Bureau, the Force, Fire Services Department, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise Department, Civil Aviation Department and Marine Department.

The CT training course mainly covered the latest global and regional terrorist situations, presentations by Force CT units on their duties and operational capabilities, group discussions, sharing sessions on departmental duties in CT and visits to the Force's CT facilities.

At the conclusion of the training course, Mr Cheung pointed out that terrorism threatened global security. Whilst Hong Kong is safe and stable, it was necessary for every government department to remain vigilant and get well prepared. Whilst the Force played a leading role in CT, co-operation among government departments was essential for effectively carrying out CT duties.

Finally, Mr Cheung called on the representatives to maintain their departmental CT efforts to ensure that Hong Kong remains one of the safest and most stable societies in the world.