To ensure the smooth conduct of the 94th INTERPOL General Assembly to be held in Hong Kong in late November, the Force, in collaboration with various government departments and relevant organisations, conducted a comprehensive inter-departmental exercise at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Victoria Harbour and the West Kowloon area on August 18.

The exercise covered a wide range of event support measures, including simulating crowd flow management within the venue, arrangements for approximately 1 000 delegates travelling between different venues, command and coordination of sea and land transport, a wireless network stress test, and contingency deployment plans for unexpected situations. The Police Guard of Honour Cadre, established in early August, also conducted on-site rehearsals for the opening and closing ceremonies of the General Assembly on the day.

In addition, the exercise also simulated a scenario in which terrorists rammed a vehicle into the venue and opened fire during the General Assembly, resulting in mass casualties, while an emergency evacuation was carried out at a neighbouring educational institution due to a separate incident. All participating units swiftly activated their emergency response mechanisms, comprehensively testing their coordination capabilities across various key operational areas, including immediate tactical intervention, emergency response, triage and emergency medical treatment of casualties, handling of suspicious objects, and management of affected persons.

The exercise mobilised over 2 600 personnel from various government departments and relevant organisations, including the Force, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Hospital Authority, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. Commissioner Chow Yat-ming observed the exercise on site, and commended the professional performance and coordination capabilities of all participating units.

As an international metropolis, Hong Kong must maintain a high state of vigilance amidst the complex and volatile global landscape. Through this comprehensive exercise, various departments have further refined collaboration and contingency protocols, making every effort to ensure meticulous preparations for upcoming major international events.

The Police Guard of Honour Cadre conducts a rehearsal of the Opening Ceremony.

The exercise simulates the admission of delegates after verification.

The exercise simulates the admission of delegates.

The exercise simulates officers conducting searches on people after suspicious persons are found at scene.

Officers of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit simulate subduing a terrorist.

Ambulance personnel from FSD simulate rendering emergency care to the injured under the protection of officers of the Counter Terrorism Response Unit.

The Commissioner (fourth right) and senior officers of the Force observing the exercise and being briefed.

The Commissioner (front row, first left) observes the exercise on site, and commends the professional performance and coordination capabilities of all participating units.