SSP Fan said that a series of in-service training activities had been arranged for the 33 SSLOs to sharpen their skills in school liaison.

"A half-day workshop on emotional quotient (EQ) was attended by all SSLOs and School Liaison Officers (SLOs) on November 27.

"More training courses on communication and counselling skills will be arranged for SSLOs early next year," he added.

To help teachers and educators understand the programme, briefings were given to the Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, Hong Kong Association for School Discipline and Counselling Teachers and Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers.

SSP Fan also introduced the programme to students, lecturers and instructors of the Department of Social Work and Social Administration of the University of Hong Kong on November 19.

Meanwhile, the SSLOs started their first round of school visits in October.

"Plans are in hand to produce video films on various topics to facilitate SSLOs' school presentations. The first video will focus on thefts in schools and is expected to be ready early next year.

"So far the response to the SSLO Programme is encouraging. Some principals said that the programme had fostered the contacts among the Police, schools and students and a positive change was seen in the behaviour of some students," SSP Fan said.

He noted that in Mong Kok District, the enhanced cooperation between the Police and schools resulted in the recent arrest of four youngsters in alleged connection with 10 robbery cases.

To take a closer look at the SSLO Programme, OffBeat spoke to a number of officers who were working in districts with many secondary schools.

SSLO Fung Chi-fai of Tuen Mun District said that he had a hectic and rewarding life in the past few months.

"I am responsible for looking after 22 secondary schools in Castle Peak Division. Apart from conducting talks, offering counselling service to students with problems and handling school enquiries, I also visited with some discipline masters the spots where students like to hang around after school and followed up on the cases of youngsters who were put under the Superintendents' Discretion Scheme.

"Although the job of an SSLO is demanding, great satisfaction can be obtained through helping youngsters. Recently, I helped steer a boy, who had almost joined a triad society, away from his bad 'friends' by introducing him to the Police Operation Breakthrough Boxing Club which definitely had a good influence on him," enthused SSLO Fung.

Eastern District Police Community Relations Officer Ng Wai-ming stated that the SSLO Programme had greatly strengthened the contacts between secondary schools and the Police. "Previously, one SLO was assigned to liaise with over 90 primary and secondary schools in our district. It was rather difficult for the SLO to pay enough attention to each and every school. Now with the addition of two SSLOs in the district, the situation is much improved," said PCRO Ng.