Officers observe security operation for G-20
Summit
At the invitation of the National French Police, Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Commandant, Chief Superintendent (CSP) Jacob Cheung, and Senior Superintendent (SSP) (Operations) Nelson Cheng from Hong Kong Island visited Cannes, a French city on the north Mediterranean coast, as observers of the security operation for the G20 Summit held on November 3 and 4.
With more than 20 Heads of State attending the Summit, the security operation was one of the biggest in recent years in France, commanded by Mr Hubert Weigel, a retired high-ranking French police officer, appointed by the French Government for the operation. The operation mobilised 13 000 officers from the National French Police and the French National Gendarmerie, besides the military and other agencies.
Joined by other police observers from Brazil, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain and the UK, during the two-day visit, CSP Cheung and SSP Cheng attended briefings given by French officials involved in the planning and implementation of the operation. Experiences of operation planning and coordination, venue and VIP security, as well as crowd and traffic management were shared amongst the security experts during the briefings. The observers also visited the strategic and tactical command centres, and the security operation at the border with Italy.
The security operation proved successful - there was no protest at all in Cannes during the two-day Summit and even the protests in nearby cities were all peaceful, beyond the belief of most people. Before departing Cannes, CSP Cheung thanked the French police for their invitation, and praised their sophisticated planning and professionalism for making the operation an unqualified success.
The Force was the only police force in Asia invited to attend the event as an observer, marking an important milestone for the co-operation between the Force and the National French Police after signing of a Letter of Intent between the two forces on July 22 this year.
CSP
Cheung
(left)
and
SSP Cheng with Mr Hubert Weigel at a command
centre