Under a Staff Training Exchange Programme between the Force and the Shanghai PSB, the officers, Mr Huang Zhiwei, Mr Zhao Lijian, Mr Cheng Yuzhi and Mr Zhang Ping, completed a two-week training attachment to TPDIST and its two divisions in April. During the attachment, they were shown practically every aspect of officers' work, ranging from beat and rural patrols and report room operations to crime investigations, operations against triads and drugs and EU operations. They also visited PTU HQ, NTN RCCC and the Government Laboratory's Forensic Science Division, and attended a District Fight Crime Committee meeting to observe how the community assists the fight against crime.

Last July, two senior public security officers from Shanghai spent two weeks in Mong Kok District under the same training exchange programme.

During an interview with OffBeat, Mr Cheng spoke highly of officers' morale and professionalism, the Force's operation modes, resources for policing, co-ordination in frontline policing, and handling of complaints by the public.

"I can see that your beat officers are doing a good job. From your operation orders, officers at different levels know exactly what their duties are and what they have to do. This is a very good arrangement.

"In Tai Po, I noticed that adequate manpower were deployed outdoors for protecting the public. The patrol sub-units, EUs and PTU each has a well-defined role to play, and they complement each other in dealing with emergencies. I think they are very good in bringing an emergecy under control.

"In Sheung Shui, I could see you took every case of complaint seriously, no matter how trivial they were, and handled the case carefully and properly. This shows you are receptive to the public's views and aspirations," said Mr Cheng.

Mr Cheng was also impressed with the posting of officers in public hospitals. "You have officers posted in public hospitals. This is a very good arrangement because it gives citizens a sense of security. With such an arrangement, you can quickly react to an emergency or accident."

The Shanghai officers had also visited Tai Po District's Police Community Relations Office, and observed its day-to-day work.

Commenting on the visit, Mr Zhang said: "You are doing a good job in promoting crime prevention among youngsters, and are making good use of local resources, such as schools, the district council and community bodies. It is a very good idea to educate the younger generation on the evil of crimes through the JPC Programme."

Lastly, Mr Cheng thanked NTN Regional Commander Cheung Siu-wah, Police College Deputy Director To Chun-wai and DDC TPDIST Ting Hung-kay for their assistance and hospitality.

The Shanghai officers taking a close look at PTU equipment