 SSP Choy and SIP LEE say the Crime Bulletin helps offices learn from others' mistakes |
KOWLOON East Region has launched Crime
Bulletin, a bilingual monthly publication that recounts criminal cases from the region selected
to illustrate and highlight lessons to be learned from convictions as well as acquittals.
For each case depicted, details of the crime, cultivation of information and evidence, arrest of the suspect/s, police preparation and court appearance, as well as the reasons for verdicts are explored offering crime officers constructive ideas concerning the proper way to handle criminal cases and advice on how to ensure righteous convictions. |
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"Reading these cases, especially the ones that end in acquittals on a technicality, help offices to understand the importance of observing proper police procedures when handing all aspects of a criminal case," said SSP Crime KE, Choy Kin-cheung who launched the bulletin in June. "Officers see that by failing to follow proper police procedures, committing errors or even omitting what may seem to be a trivial(but crucial) detail, can foil the prosecution process and lead to the dismissal of charge of a defendant who is guilty of crime." Said Senior inspector Aaron Lee: "Revisiting cases in the Bulletin reveals that some frontline UB offices have been less than prudent in the arrest, cautioning and questioning of suspects. For example, in one case after a woman was stopped by a department store security guard for stealing a pair of swimming trunks and handed over to police, the officer, feeling that the theft was a petty crime, instructed the guard to make his statement short and simple. This resulted in a discrepancy between the guard's written statement and his testimony given during the subsequent court hearing which ultimately led to the defendant's acquittal. This illustrates that police officers cannot afford to be even the slightest degree negligent." Added SSP Choy: "We also publish extremely well-handled criminal cases to illustrate police professionally carrying out their duties at an optimum level. So far the Bulletin has been well-received by KE offices." Members of the working group for the Crime Bulletin, SSP Choy, Superintendent N J Nichols and SIP Aaron Lee, select representative criminal cases which have occurred in KE and are heard in Magistracies, District Courts and the High Court for discussion during the monthly SSP Crime Conference. After soliciting views from members, the working group hands the cases to the Regional Commander KE for final approval before they are published in the Bulletin. "Although we have concentrated solely on criminal cases, we intend to broaden the Bulletin's scope by publishing other types of cases such as those about missing persons," said SSP Choy. "We will also regularly review its effectiveness with a view to improving it so that it becomes an indispensable reference tool for officers." | |
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THE VIP Protection Unit is preparing for a
selection exercise, with pre-selection beginning in November, and the final selection
scheduled for December.
The Unit is looking for high calibre officers who are physically fit, enthusiastic, self-reliant and capable of displaying a high degree of initiative. Protective security work is both interesting and challenging. The Unit offers the opportunity for specialised firearms, tactical and medical training. An Headquarter Order detailing the application procedures was circulated in mid-October. Officers wishing to find out more about the Unit and the selection process are invited to attend the presentation held at the Police Sports and Recreation Club on 29 and 31 October, from 9am to noon. They can also contact the Unit direct. Phone SIP Simon Southgate: 2860-3279. Basic requirements: Candidates should have three or more years of service at their present rank; a good record of service; completed a PTU company attachment (male applicants); the ability to swim; good eyesight without spectacles (contact lenses acceptable); and no major disciplinary convictions. Closing date for application: 11 November.
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IT systems strategy | |
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IBM (International Business Machines,
China/Hong Kong Ltd) has recently been appointed by the Hong Kong Police Force to
conduct a study of the Force's information systems and recommend the future direction that
the Force should take in respect to information technology.
Perhaps the biggest change in the Force during recent years has been the widespread introduction of information technology into everyday procedures. Under the Force's current "Information Systems Strategy" a number of new systems have been introduced including the various components of the Communal Information System (CIS) as well as other systems which have radically altered the way the Force does its business. For example, the Personnel Information Communal System (PICS). The final system to be introduced under the current strategy is the Stores Management System which will go live in August 1999. There have been a number of challenges faced by the implementation of these systems ranging from their unfamiliarity to Force members, to the physical and technical difficulty of installing a networked computer system connecting nearly 3,000 terminals. The individual systems themselves have also had their share of teething problems but, all in all, the positive attitude and acceptance of them by officers at all levels represents an achievement. Now that all these systems are in place, it is time to stand back and assess the progress made and what the Force's future direction should be. To this end, IBM has been appointed as consultant to evaluate the Force's progress and to recommend a new information systems strategy for the next five years. Among the tasked IBM team of consultants are a number of "subject matter" experts who have wide-ranging experience with other police forces around the world. During the course of the six-month consultancy IBM staff will visit a wide cross-section of officers in the Force to gauge their views and expectations of both existing and future operation systems. Discussions will start with the Commissioner and range across the spectrum of ranks and formations. Focus groups will be held in several formations as a way of gaining maximum feedback. It is vital for all officers who take part to ensure that their views are put forward and reflected in the consultancy report. All are encouraged to be frank and to offer constructive criticism. This consultancy gives the Force a chance to identify any mistakes in the current information systems strategy and to make sure that the path over the next five years is the right one ¡Ð and the one which will benefit all police officers. |
