CP Hui Ki-on presents Ng Yuen-tok with a token of the Force's thanks for 40 years of loyal service

TWELVE disciplined officers and one civilian recently received valedictory letters, certificates of exemplary service and retirement souvenirs from Commissioner of Police Eddie Hui Ki-on in recognition of their Exemplary Long and Loyal Service. ¡@They are ACP Anthony Ferrige ( Marine HQ), WSSgt Lo Chan-lin (Crime KE HQ), Sgt Ma Po-lo (HHDIV), Sgt Kwok Chi-ho (Security HQ), Sgt Sung Chun-hung (EU KW), WSgt Wong Yat-wan (T KE), SPC So Chak-lam (MS DIV), SPC Ng Chung-yin (PTU HQ), SPC Li Wing-cham (CIB), WSPC Cheung Wai-ling (TPDIST), Senior Police Interpreter Ng Yuen-tok (TWDIST), Office Assistant Lo Che (KWTDIST), and Workman II Lau Hok-yee (KW HQ).

¡@All of them have served the Force for over 35 years during which time they have consistently displayed initiative, vigilance, hard work, professionalism and dedication to duty. ¡@"Wishing all recipients the best of luck and a happy life of retirement, Commissioner of Police Hui said: "I am extremely happy to attend this ceremony in which I can present these certificates to our colleagues. Thirty years is a very long time and on behalf of the Force, as well as the citizens and government of Hong Kong, we thank you for your contribution." ¡@Of those being honoured, Senior Police Interpreter Ng Yuen-tok additionally received a Meritorious Service Certificate in appreciation for a brilliant career that spanned 40 years. ¡@Civilian Ng, who joined the Hong Kong government in December 1957, before transferring to the Hong Kong Police, said that he has been proud to be a member of the Force and that his work as a translator has always been interesting. ¡@"The police interpreter's workload is very heavy compared to many other clerical jobs," said Mr Ng. " ¡@Often there is little time to make a rough draft, so we have to do the translation process in our brain, while typing it directly on the paper. Nevertheless, even after four decades I still enjoy this challenging job. Forty years is a very long period of time, but I want to stress that it has been my pleasure to serve this prestigious Force."

Force delegation attends special police seminar in Beijing
THE 19th International Course of Higher Specialisation for Police Forces (ICHSPF) was held in Beijing, China, between 2.9.1997 and 9.9.1997. It was also the first time that a delegate from the Hong Kong police Force was sent to the seminar. Representing the Hong Kong delegate were Messrs LAU Yuk-kuen, D C&S, CHAN Chin-cheung, SSP C NTS and LEUNG Po-tak, C DTS. ¡@ The INTERCENTER was founded in Italy and was granted category II status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and Consultative Status with the Council of Europe. It aims at the research and studies on crimes which jeopardize the safety and people's life and property. It approaches various problems with all countries (regions) on a co-operative basis.	C C&S Lau Yuk-kuen presenting souvenir to Zhu Entao, China's Assistant Minster of Public Security
¡@ The INTERCENTER has been organising, since 1978, annual International Course of Higher Specialisation for Police Forces with the participation of Police officers from many countries. The theme of the 19th course was "Public Security Management and Crime Prevention" and the course was formally opened by Mr Tao Siju, the Minister of Public Security of the People's Republic of China. Senior Police Officers, experts and professors from the Interior Ministries and Police Forces throughout the world participated in a series of lectures, working group and round table discussions. ¡@ Distinguished and prominent experts, who were either Police Officers, Judge, Public Prosecutor or Professors specialized in the Criminal Justice System, presented a total of 20 papers and reports during the course. ¡@The course members with comprised of 279 delegates from 67 countries, regions and international organizations were then divided into different groups for discussion on a variety of subjects which included public security management, crime prevention, the international and internal threat to public security etc. during which members of the course exchanged with each other their policing experiences and their country's unique feature on certain crime issues with a view to enhancing cross-fertilisation and identifying solutions on common problem. ¡@At the end of the course, each group would return their findings and comments to the presidential committee of the 19th ICHSPF. ¡@The eight-day course concluded on 9.9.1997 when Mr Zhu Entao Assistant Minister of Public Security delivered a closing speech, and praised the grand gathering having achieved the desired goal of deepening exchanges, seeking common grounds, fostering friendship and increasing co-operation. The success of the course would surely have positive effects and far-reaching influence on public security management and crime prevention in China and the world at large, and as a result, the exchanges and co-operation amongst Police Departments in the international community would surely be strengthened. ¡@The next ICHSPF is scheduled to be held in Italy, 1998.

THE TIMES of London recently reported that careless motorists in England who face prosecution for driving without due care and attention are being offered the alternative of attending a course to improve their driving skills. ¡@A pilot project is under way in nine police stations in London in which motorists can opt to pay GBP120 to go on a two-day "driver improvement course" with a driving school and escape court proceedings. The option is being offered to drivers where police consider there is evidence to justify prosecution. If successful, the scheme could be extended. ¡@But some lawyers have expressed concern about what they see as motorists being offered a chance to "buy" their way out of prosecution. ¡@A letter sent to one motorist by police read: "Full attendance on the course and participation in all its components would remove the need to involve you in court proceedings, but failure fully to attend the course may lead to further consideration for prosecution." ¡@The letter insists that drivers are not under any pressure to go on the course. ¡@It continues: "I must point out that this is not an ultimatum and if you feel that you were in no way to blame or at fault, then you should decline this invitation. Your file would then be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service." ¡@The course covers theory and practical training given by driving instructors approved by the Department of Transport. ¡@Richard Penny, an administrative officer in the traffic section of Belgravia police's criminal justice unit, said that one of the aims of the pilot scheme was to relieve the pressure on the courts. ¡@It was too soon to judge the success of the scheme, he added, although just under half those offered the driving course had taken up the offer. ¡@"Some are put off by the GBP120 cost, and others say they are innocent. If that is the case, they should decline the offer and go to court to let the magistrate decide." ¡@In England, driving without due care and attention can carry a fine of up to a maximum GBP2,500 and between three and nine points on a licence or possible disqualification. ¡@OFFBEAT thanks P A Keylock, CIP OPS APDIST, for drawing our attention to this story, and he wonders if Hong Kong motorists opting for a course to improve their driving skills rather than going to court would be feasible here?

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