The Force's preparation work for policing the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events (2008 Events) is gathering momentum as the countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games has started. As former Director of Operations Tsang Wai-hung has said that a huge amount of work remains to be done before the "D" Day of the 2008 Events, OffBeat tries to update readers on some of the important aspects of the preparation work.

OffBeat has learnt that to ensure venue security and facilitate deployment plans for the 2008 Events, the Venue Command Teams (VCTs) will involve Venue Task Force (VTF) Platoon Officers early in the planning process, beginning later this month. The VCTs have also begun actively engaging local commanders, including Divisional Commanders and District Operations Officers, in the planning process to ensure they are kept abreast of the development of the operational plans and protocols set for the Events.

In respect of training for the VTF, Police Tactical Unit Headquarters (PTU HQ) has scheduled a structured training programme for each VTF Platoon, Quick Reaction Force (QRF) that is a contingency reserve, and the Marine Composite Company. The programme will cover Event Specific Training conducted by PTU HQ and Venue Specific Training by Venue Command Teams. Each VTF Company and QRF Company will attend a Venue Exercise Day in late June or early July, this year. For the Marine Composite Company, special arrangements will be made to bring together all their training days immediately before their actual deployment begins.

An induction, which will be held during the two weeks prior to the actual deployment of duties, will be arranged for VTF and QRF Platoons during which all the officers of each VTF Platoon will visit venues to familiarise themselves with operational and logistical arrangements. As the Marine Composite Company will have all their Equestrian Events Training Days just prior to their actual deployment, they are not required to take the induction.

Schedule for the Equestrian Events Training Days and Venue Exercise Day is available on the Equestrian Web Corner on POINT.

Two-tier Command Structure for 2008 Events

During the 2008 Events, all VTF Platoons will come under the direct command of the respective Venue Command Team (VCT) throughout the duration of their deployment at Event-related venues. The VCTs in turn will report direct to the Headquarters Commander and Control Centre (HQCCC).

Catering at Venues

The Force Steering Committee (FSC) has placed great emphasis on the morale and welfare of all officers deployed for the 2008 Events and has considered the feasibility of providing refreshments during the competition days to officers deployed to the venues. In view of the few catering facilities in the vicinity at the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (Beas River), the Force Planning Group has been proactively looking for an appropriate solution.

Familiarisation Programme for PTU Platoons

As endorsed at the 3rd FSC meeting, Operations Wing will centrally coordinate the deployment schedule for PTU Platoons for competition days during the 2008 Events as they may be required to mobilise should there be any untoward incident. As this would potentially involve non-resident PTU Platoons being deployed to locations outside their parent Region, Operations Wing will draw up a structured operational attachment programme to allow non-resident PTU Platoons to familiarise themselves with the possible locations where public order activities may take place. This familiarisation programme will provide an opportunity for the Platoons to liaise with local commanders, familiarise themselves with logistical support and facilities and get a feel of the conditions on the ground.

2008 Olympic Torch Relay

The 2008 Olympic Torch Relay is the single most important precursor to the Olympic Games, heralding the Games' arrival and engendering the Olympic "spirit" that is such an important part of the event itself. It is also very significant to the Olympic Movement as a whole. The flame is considered one of the most easily identifiable Olympic symbols and is treated with a high degree of veneration.

The Torch Relay for the Beijing Olympics will be staged in 21 countries from March 24 to August 8, this year. By that time there will be 133 separate legs for the Relay, of which Hong Kong will be the first leg in China. The Torch will arrive on April 30, this year and will be kept in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre until the Relay begins on May 2.

Although the proposed routes of the Torch Relay in Hong Kong will not be announced by BOCOG until later this month, the locations tentatively cover Kowloon West, New Territories South, Hong Kong Island and Marine Regions. The Relay will carry on throughout the day and will involve a course of almost 30 kilometres. The Force is responsible for the safe and smooth running of the Torch Relay.

Strategic Briefing Series

As part of the Force Awareness Campaign to raise readiness for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events, two identical briefings for phase two of the Strategic Briefing Series have been scheduled to be held in March this year.