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CAPO adopts better protocol for IPCC Interview |
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On January 1, 2010, unlike many citizens who were celebrating the New Year, Sergeant (SGT) Chiu Hon-fai from Police Tactical Unit New Territories South was on crowd management duty outside the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG). Later, SGT Chiu learned that he was the subject of a complaint. After assisting Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) in investigating the complaint, SGT Chiu was informed that the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) would like to interview him under Section 20 of the Independent Police Complaints Council Ordinance (IPCCO) for considering the investigation report. "At first, I didn't know what to do but on second thought, I wished to let them (IPCC) know how difficult it was for frontline officers to police public order events. Therefore I attended the IPCC Interview," said SGT Chiu. Before the interview, CAPO briefed SGT Chiu on the related arrangements and assured him that his rights and interests would be safeguarded. "I felt more comfortable after the CAPO briefing. I knew what to expect from the interview and made better preparations." The IPCC interview was subsequently conducted in October 2011. Recalling the interview, SGT Chiu said he was impressed by the professional approach adopted by IPCC interviewers. In his view, they were very open-minded and accepted the evidence he produced. After the interview, SGT Chiu was found not at fault. "They (IPCC) wanted to know what actually happened that evening and I told them everything. They also let me tell my personal feelings and the difficulties we faced whilst dealing with the protestors," SGT Chiu said. IPCC has praised SGT Chiu for his performance during the interview. SGT Chiu encourages fellow officers to avail themselves of the opportunity to communicate with the IPCC. "Whether in an interview or during a visit, we should explain our position to them (IPCC) and let them know how we do our best to make Hong Kong a better and safer place for citizens." Between 2010 and 2012, IPCC interviewed a total of 15 officers at different ranks under Section 20 of the IPCCO. Having obtained feedback from the officers, CAPO recognised there was a need to introduce a better protocol for IPCC interviews. A joint working group was formed in April 2012. After discussion and exchange of ideas, IPCC published in February this year the latest guidelines on conducting IPCC interview. The guidelines spell out the scope of the interview and rationalise the interviewing procedures with a view to achieving better effects and at the same time safeguarding the rights and interests of Force members. Some of the key features of the guidelines are as follows: * The interview is not to be considered as a re-investigation; * Prior to the interview, the interviewee can request for a general picture of issues and questions from the IPCC; and * Force members may be accompanied by a Training and Staff Relations Officer or a CAPO officer during the interview. CAPO encourages officers to attend IPCC interviews if invited. |
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