Search Cadre members swap experience
with Singapore counterparts
Key Points and Force Search Division Chief Inspector Simon Tse Ping-leung, and Force Search Cadre members Sergeants Kingsley Kwan Chi-lung and Anthony Leung Kui-foon had spent five days in Singapore meeting officers engaged in similar work and visiting the relevant units.
Mr Tse said: "It was our first duty visit to Singapore. The trip was aimed at exchanging views with our neighbouring countries on the strategies and ways to conduct security searches for large-scale events. After this visit, we have a better idea of how they plan for security checks and searches and what problems they have encountered."
The Force Search Cadre, which was formed in 1992, comprises some 350 volunteers ranking from Constables to Chief Inspectors. When there is a need for a search operation, they will be called in to perform the indispensable duty of conducting searches in, and checks on, important places prior to the visits of VIPs or the staging of international conferences in Hong Kong.
During the trip, the trio visited various divisions and facilities of the Singapore Police, including Special Operations Command's Police Tactical Troop (PTT), which is responsible for performing similar search duties.
They studied the use of various equipment for searches, and the PTT's training and drills in "tactical search".
Mr Tse said: "There is no big difference between the search equipment used in the city-state and Hong Kong. However, our Singapore counterpart is particularly keen to know how we conduct high-rise searches and searches of confined space, such as manholes."
While the Force Search Cadre mainly focuses on low-risk and defensive searches, the VIP Protection Unit of the Singapore Security Command also deals with the dismantling of explosive devices.
The Singapore Security Command had explained their operations and "high-risk" searches to the officers, and had given a demonstration on improvised explosive devices.
The trio had met the head of Police National Service Department, Assistant Commissioner Woon Sian Hai, who showed interest in the security arrangements for key facilities, such as airport.
The trio rounded off their trip by visiting the K9-Police Dog Unit and having discussions with officials on the importance of occupational safety and health issues in search operations.
Summing up the visit, Mr Tse said: "This trip has provided the two Forces with an opportunity for interaction and exchange on the ways we work. Through this visit, we can understand each other's edges, and this would help further improve our work to meet future challenges."
The trip has proven to be particularly fruitful for the two Junior Police Officers, giving them a chance to develop a useful network at working levels. Both Mr Kwan and Mr Leung shared the view that the visit had broadened their horizons.
Attached to the Auxiliary Support Bureau, Mr Leung said the trip had given him more comprehensive knowledge of search operations. He added: "The visit has beefed up my managerial skills. What I've learnt in the Cadre is different from ordinary beat patrol work because I have chances to take part in planning work."
Echoing his views, Mr Kwan said: "This visit has given me a good chance for exchanging and sharing work experience. My Singapore counterparts are particularly keen to know how we use a portable X-ray device in our searches.
"The trip has also enabled me to understand more about search operations conducted by the two cities. As a team leader of the Cadre, I am sure I can apply what I've learnt from the trip to my work."
Mr Tse added that the two Sergeants would share the experience of their visit with other members of the Cadre.
