Force Working Group on 2012 LegCo Election meets
New Territories North (NTN) Regional Commander Chau Kwok-leung chaired the 1st meeting of the Force Working Group (FWG) on Policing of the 2012 Legislative Council (LegCo) Election, held at NTN Regional Headquarters on July 27.
Mr Chau stated that the terms of reference of the FWG are:
* to provide a forum for involved departments to share criminal intelligence and discuss issues related to 2012 LegCo Election;
* to coordinate the departments' participation in the election to ensure it will be conducted in a smooth and fair manner, free from corruption, violence and triad influence;
* to steer, coordinate and monitor criminal intelligence gathering, investigation into criminal offences arising from election-related activities, as well as investigation into suspected breaches of the Electoral Affairs Commission (Electoral Procedure) (Legislative Council) Regulation; and
* to establish a proper case referral mechanism amongst the departments.
A total of 28 representatives attended the meeting, including those from other government departments, namely Registration and Electoral Office, Home Affairs Department, ICAC, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and Lands Department. Senior Superintendents (Crime) from all Regions, representatives from Crime Wing and Support Wing were also present. The FWG's terms of reference, policing strategy, model of intelligence sharing and method of case monitoring were discussed and endorsed at the meeting.
The 2012 Legislative Council Election will be held on September 9. From experience of previous elections, both police and ICAC had received reports of violence and corruption, with some involving triads. To ensure the integrity of the 2012 Legislative Council Election, and maintain law and order, the FWG has drawn up an action plan based on a three-pronged strategy comprising early intervention, proactive intelligence-gathering and effective case referral. With enhanced working relationships amongst Regions and Government departments, the FWG will do its best to deal with all election related matters, particularly those related to violence and triad activities.
New
Territories
North Regional Commander Chau Kwok-leung outlines the FWG's
tasks