More JPOs gain overseas exposure
These two study visits underscore the Force's constant efforts to enhance JPOs' career developments and its close partnership with overseas law enforcement agencies in police training.
Led by Chief Inspector Leung Shun, the party in Queensland comprised Station Sergeant Cheung Kam-wing, Sergeant Lau Wing-fu, Woman Sergeant So Sui-lin, Police Constables Tam Tai-wai and Tong Wing-chiu, as well as Woman Police Constable Tsang Suk-yee.
The themes of their study visit were "Extraction of Personal Identification Particulars at Crime Scenes and the Turnout of Specialist (DNA and finger-print)", "Equipment Used in Crowd Management during Public Order Events" and "Initial Handling of Cases of Domestic Violence". It is hoped that the JPOs would, by means of studying these subjects and making comparisons, bring home new concepts and identify best practices and new approaches from their hosts.
What the JPOs saw and studied in the QPS was an eye-opener and quite stimulating for them. They toured different units or formations, including the State Crime Operation Command, Special Services Branch, Disaster and Major Event Planning Branch, Forensics Services Branch, Cultural Advisory Unit, State Domestic Violence Coordinator of Crime Prevention Unit, Surfer's Paradise Police Station at the Gold Coast as well as the Forensics Office of Queensland's Health Department. During all these visits they had valuable exchanges and experience-sharing with their hosts.
The JPO delegation also watched a demonstration by the Special Emergency Response Team, a unit similar to the Force's Special Duties Unit, and learned more about a stun gun called "Taser" being used by the QPS as a self-defence weapon. The JPOs also took a close look at the new computer system and technology being used by the QPS' Forensics Services Branch.
They took a great interest in the Queensland Police Record and Information Management Exchange (QPRIME), which has been scheduled to roll out later this year to manage policing incidents and conduct performance reporting, task management and information analysis. With a powerful data-mining capacity, the QPRIME will replace 237 existing police computer systems and link up all occurrences involving a particular individual, location or vehicle with any of the QPS's computer databases. It is a very useful system for gathering criminal intelligence and profiling.
The delegation was given a warm reception by their hosts and looked after by two Senior Sergeants throughout their study visit. Besides meeting the Commissioner of the QPS, the JPOs attended a barbecue party as guests of honour on the last day of their visit.
No doubt, the "Overseas Study Visit for JPOs" Scheme provides JPOs with opportunities to gain insights into the different policing systems, and to share their experiences, expertise and skills with their overseas counterparts.
The Force has been providing overseas training opportunities for JPOs since the 1997/98 financial year and so far nearly 280 JPOs have attended training or study visits overseas, including the UK, Australia and Singapore.
For overseas training in the current financial year, the JPO Division of the Human Resources Branch has interviewed and selected three SSGTs, 21 SGTs and 11 PCs nominated by Major Formation Commanders. These officers would be nominated for overseas development programmes, including three study visits to Western Australia, New South Wales and Korea.
The Force will also send a total of 130 officers at different ranks to attend overseas training this year, so as to broaden their horizons and improve their professional knowledge.
The JPOs meeting the QPS' Deputy Commissioner on the first day of their study visit
QPS Commissioner, Mr Bob Atkinson pays an unscheduled visit to the JPOs
The JPOs enjoy the hospitality of a Senior Sergeant at a barbecue at his home
A Sergeant explaining the organisational structure of QPS' Gold Coast Region to the JPOs
Meeting a beat officer at the Gold Coast