Force forges training collaboration in Europe
Following the agreement on exchange of instructors with the Australian Institute of Police Management last September, the Force has taken another step to further forge international collaboration on police training and development in Europe.
Earlier this month, a delegation of the Hong Kong Police College visited the Netherlands and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Police Academy of the Netherlands on exchange of police instructors and training opportunities.
Meanwhile, a Dutch delegation, headed by the Director General of the Security and Public Safety Department of the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations, Mr Dick Schoof, and Police Chief Constable, Mr P. van Zunderd, paid a courtesy visit to the Force on March 16.
Speaking at the welcoming dinner for the visitors, Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai said the 'MOU' would further extend the professional collaboration between the Force and the Netherlands' 25 regional police forces and the national police agency, from operational matters to staff training and development. The Commissioner also praised the Netherlands police's professionalism.
Police College Deputy Director Chief Superintendent To Chun-wai, who signed the 'MOU' in the Netherlands on behalf of the Force, said both the Force and its Dutch counterparts are eager to contribute to international police training. The 'MOU', as well as other training agreements being undertaken by the Police College, echos the aspiration of the 15th Interpol Symposium for Heads of Police Training hosted by the Force last year.
Action is now in hand by the Police College and Personnel Wing to select suitable officers for the exchange of instructors and attachment to police forces in the Netherlands. This arrangement will enable the nominated officers to brush up their professional skills and broaden their international outlook on career development.
The Netherlands Police comprise a total of 50,000 officers, of whom 16.7 per cent are women. The Netherlands has a population of 16 million people, and the police - public ratio is 1:320.
CSP Dirk Hilarides of the Police Academy of the Netherlands (front) with Police College Deputy Director, CSP To Chun-wai, and SSP Ton Rutting of the academy with Head of the Professional Development Learning Centre, SSP So Kam-tong