In order to adopt a more holistic and systematic approach in policing a public event, the Force has set up a Crime Response Team (CRT) under the Regional Response Contingent for achieving closer co-operation between uniformed branch officers and detectives and better co-ordination amongst different units.

To further enhance the efficiency of the CRT, the Detective Training Centre (DTC), in co-operation with Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB), introduced a new selective subject, "Strategic Handling of Public Order Events", to the Advanced Criminal Investigation Module last month.

The first two-day training in the new public event module was held on January 19 and 20, covering a wide variety of topics, ranging from lectures by experienced OCTB detectives on the Tiered Command Structure, tactics to make mass arrest, police power, court judgments, standard of evidence required by the court and procedures to establish a temporary holding area. On the second training day, there was an exercise with a Police Tactical Unit training company.

As the 51 trainees, who were crime officers mainly from Regional Crime Units, have offered favourable feedback on the training, the DTC will continue to review its training courses with a view to meeting the needs of frontline units.

DTC offers training course to other departments

In another effort, DTC also runs an "Other Department Investigation Course" (ODIC) with Civil Service Training and Development Institute to help officers of other government departments enhance their investigation skills. The course covers the topics of statement taking, Rules and Directions for the Questioning of Suspects, collection of evidence and judicial process.

The last ODIC was run in North Point Government Offices on December 8 and 9 for more than 130 officers from various government departments, who are required to conduct investigations and take enforcement action, including Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Social Welfare Department, Environmental Protection Department and Lands Department.

The participants found the course very useful in enhancing their investigation and prosecution skills.