SCIC is a nine-week course, providing basic criminal investigation training to Uniform Branch officers under consideration for appointment to divisional crime investigation duties. The targeted trainees include Senior Inspectors, Inspectors, Sergeants and Police Constables. The course is also open to officers from other disciplinary services as well as law enforcement officers from the Mainland and Macao.

SCIC focusses on the basic investigation skills crime officers require. Its syllabus has been designed to develop trainees' competence and confidence in undertaking divisional crime investigation independently and with teamwork.

Since December last year, SCIC has been accredited by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCS) of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. SCIC is articulated to the Professional Diploma Programme in Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science offered by SCS.

The diploma programme is a one-year course with four modules. Those who have successfully completed SCIC will be granted exemption of the first module on "Basic Crime Scene Investigation" and save $2,500 on the total programme fee.

SCS is now accepting applications for the next intake of students for the diploma programme. Officers who are eligible for the exemption should submit their applications on or before April 17. They may contact SCS direct at 2209-0246 for details.