PCT has also become one of the programmes to support the management priority for "Enhancing Staff Efficiency and Effectiveness" under the Strategic Action Plan 2005-08.

As Assistant Commissioner (Training) Tse Shu-chun has put it, psychological competency is a joint project between Training Wing and Personnel Wing. It is a set of psychological knowledge and skills, behavioural patterns and lifestyle management skills, which are essential for the effective performance of a Police Officer. "In short, it's the human aspects of Police work in modern policing," Mr Tse noted.

The crux of psychological competency training is to combine practical police experience with psychological expertise to better prepare police officers for professionally handling interpersonal interactions in their daily operations and managing stress arising from police work.

A pilot training scheme on the competency areas of "Victim Psychology" and "Conflict Management" was launched in 2004 in partnership with the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. A working group chaired by the Senior Force Training Officer and comprising Police Clinical Psychologists and representatives from different frontline and policy Formations, was set up to work with the two universities to design training lecture materials and discuss scenario-based practices.

Since March this year, the training materials developed by the two universities have been incorporated into various training programmes, which include Recruit Police Constable Training Course, Police Constable Development Course, Standard Criminal Investigation Course and Junior Command Course. The feedback of participants of these courses has been encouraging.

Some of the participants of the training programme on "Conflict Management" said they had learned how to manage their own emotions, besides knowing how to handle conflicts. They also considered the programme very practical and rich in real experiences and examples.

As for the "Victim Psychology" training programme, some participants said they had obtained a better idea of the psychological impacts on crime victims, and their feelings and behavioural changes. They also realised that giving victims support and showing them care and patience might make the investigation process more smooth.

Training Wing had earlier organised two management seminars with Professor Fanny Cheung, Chairperson and Professor of Psychology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Dr Gracemary Leung, Acting Director of Personal Development and Counselling Centre, the University of Hong Kong, as keynote speakers.

The seminars attracted some 178 officers from Inspectors to Assistant Commissioners. A participant said the seminars were beneficial to the audiences because most of them are working in supervisory and management capacities. A participant of "Victim Psychology" training said he had become more sensitive to the needs of crime victims and had a better idea of how victim psychology would help police investigation.

Meanwhile, a new chapter has also been made in Force training instructors' quest for more professionalism. The two universities have trained them up with homework assignments, written examinations and practical exercises to ensure they would attain the required standard. The instructors' happy moment came recently when they received certificates from the two universities and words of encouragement by Assistant Commissioner (Training) Tse Shu-chun.

With the success of the pilot training scheme, six other prioritised competencies will be developed in the coming two years. They are "Counselling Skills as a Police Supervisor/Colleague", "Psychological Skills in Suspect Interviewing", "Interpersonal Communication Skills", "Emotional Regulation", "Stress Management in Police Work" and "Healthy Lifestyle".

Force training instructors have made a new chapter in their quest for more professionalism