Operations
A Safe City and a Stable Society
The overall crime situation remained stable during 2012, with the total number of crime and violent crime reports falling by 0.01 per cent and 2.1 per cent respectively in comparison to 2011. This represents an overall crime rate of 1 064 cases, and a violent crime rate of 180 cases per 100 000 residents. The detection rate also remained steady at 43.6 per cent, a slight increase of 1.1 per cent as compared to 42.5 per cent in 2011. Decreases were recorded in many major key crimes in 2011, including arson, burglary, robbery, wounding and serious assault, and most categories of theft including shop theft, missing vehicles, miscellaneous thefts and pickpocketing. The number of robberies hit the lowest level recorded since statistics began in 1969. There has been no robbery case involving the use of genuine firearms for six consecutive years.
Police Organized Crime and Triad Bureau mounts an operation codenamed KEYSCROLLER to combat illicit activities related to money lending.
Former Director of Operations Hung Hak-wai (left) and Director of Crime and Security Lo Wai-chung introduce the overall law and order situation in the first six months of 2012.
Organised Crime and Triads
In 2012, the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau continued to mount proactive and intelligence-led operations to combat organised and serious crime and triad activities, particularly those involving cases of syndicated vice, serious violence, loan-sharking, human trafficking and syndicated vehicle theft. Four major operations including three undercover operations against various prominent triad societies were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 363 triad members for various triad related criminal activities. Five vehicle theft syndicates were neutralised in the year, with 12 persons arrested and 11 vehicles recovered.
The Bureau's ability to work in close collaboration with law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions continued to achieve significant results. Between July and August, the Bureau mounted a series of tripartite joint operations with the Guangdong and Macao Police with the aim of curbing illegal activities of triad societies and organised crime syndicates, fighting cross-boundary crimes and interdicting the criminals' sources of income. A total of 1 191 persons were arrested in Hong Kong and dangerous drugs and other illegal items amounting to $10.91 million were seized.
Through the INTERPOL network, the Bureau joined hands with a number of Asian countries to launch a one-month operation against illegal soccer gambling during the Euro 2012 soccer tournament. A total of 64 persons were arrested and illegal betting slips worth $132 million were seized.
Criminal Intelligence
In 2012, the Criminal Intelligence Bureau maintained its pivotal role in the implementation of intelligence-led policing within the Force to combat triad and organised crime activities. In addition to maintaining proactive cooperation and partnership with Mainland, Macao and other overseas counterparts, the Bureau organised intelligence training courses for the China Criminal Police University.
The Criminal Intelligence Bureau together with the Police College organise a Management Development Programme inviting a professor from Charles Sturt University to share his knowledge on strategic intelligence.
Commercial Crime
In 2012, the Commercial Crime Bureau continued to tackle serious and complex frauds, technology crimes and the counterfeiting of monetary instruments.
In an investigation of a serious securities fraud, two company directors were arrested in connection with the sale of more than 500 clients' shares valued at $53.5 million without the required authorisation.
In the area of transnational payment card fraud, the Bureau interdicted four syndicates from entering Hong Kong and attempting to withdraw money with fraud payment cards containing overseas data. One counterfeit payment card syndicate was also neutralised during the year, with the seizure of 8 974 counterfeit payment cards and the arrest of two locals.
In December, the Bureau set up a Cyber Security Centre to combat the ever-increasing wave of technology crime. The Bureau continued to equip members of the Force, other law enforcement agencies and statutory bodies with the skills required to tackle modern commercial crime through the provision of training both in Hong Kong and overseas.
Established in December, Cyber Security Centre is to combat the ever-increasing wave of technology crime.
Narcotics
Tackling youth drug abuse remained an operational priority of the Force in 2012. Further measures were taken to strengthen the Force's role in preventive education and promoting anti-drug publicity. Intelligenceled operations against drug traffickers, particularly those that exploited minors and juveniles, also intensified.
The majority of arrests in 2012 were in relation to ketamine. There were also substantial increases in the amount of ketamine impounded, with three large seizures at a wholesale level in three separate cases. These three large seizures contributed considerably to the total of 254 kilogrammes (kg) of ketamine seized in 2012.
The majority of manufacturing cases detected during the year involved the conversion of cocaine powder into the form commonly known as ‘crack'. A total of eight premises used for drug manufacturing were neutralised in 2012.
The Narcotics Bureau continued to successfully collaborate with the Mainland and overseas counterparts to tackle cross-boundary and transnational trafficking. These efforts led to substantial drug seizures and the dismantling of drug manufacturing sites outside Hong Kong. A total of 974.8 kg of illicit drugs, plus 24.7 tonnes of precursor chemicals were seized in the Mainland and overseas. A total of 20 locations of illicit drug manufacturing or storage in the Asian region were also detected.
Ketamine is seized by the Narcotics Bureau in an operation.
Financial Investigations and Intelligence
In 2012, the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) and the Financial Investigations Division (FID) under the Narcotics Bureau remained committed to combating money laundering and terrorist financing activities. A total of 160 persons were convicted of money laundering offences. The amount of criminal assets to be restrained and confiscated were $768.47 million and $41.31 million respectively.
JFIU and FID actively participated in local and international forums organised by the Financial Action Task Force, the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. In July, the Force and its New Zealand counterpart took over the co-chairmanship of the Implementation Issues Working Group of the APG for the following two years.
Officers from Australia, Macao and Hong Kong Police Force attend the first Hong Kong – Macao – Australia Anti-Money Laundering Seminar organised by the Hong Kong Police Force.
Crime Prevention
The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to provide advice on crime prevention measures through a wide variety of publicity channels including leaflets for overseas visitors, school visits, exhibitions on security equipment and crime prevention advice for the public. The Bureau also worked with the security industry to ensure that a high quality of service is maintained by security companies and security personnel in Hong Kong.
A Crime Prevention Bureau officer introduces security equipment to Fight Crime Ambassadors.
Liaison
In view of the challenges of globalisation and rapid development of information technology, the Force reinforced its proactive international cooperation strategy in 2012. The schedule included high-level visits to strategic partners around the world, the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements, active participation in INTERPOL activities, enhancement of criminal cooperation and capacity building.
The Liaison Bureau assists the Department of Justice in handling overseas requests for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and the surrender of fugitive offenders. By the end of the year, the Government had signed bilateral agreements with 27 jurisdictions on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and 18 jurisdictions on surrender of fugitive offenders.
During the year, Hong Kong Police hosted the 20th Bilateral Meeting since Reunification between Mainland Public Security Authorities and Hong Kong Police Force to discuss major policing issues at a strategic level. In June, the Force attended the 18th Guangdong-Hong Kong- Macao Tripartite Criminal Investigation Department Heads Meeting in Macao, strengthening cooperation in the fight against cross-boundary crimes at an operational level.
Forensic Support
In July, the Identification Bureau implemented Forcewide the use of Digital Photography to enhance investigation work. So far, Digital Photography has been used in minor crimes, traffic and magistrates' court cases.
The 20th Bilateral Meeting since Reunification between Mainland Public Security Authorities and Hong Kong Police Force takes place at Hong Kong Police Headquarters.
Forensic Firearms Examination
The Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau, accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board, continued to provide professional firearms related forensic services to frontline Police officers and other Government departments.
Criminal Records
During the year, the Criminal Records Bureau maintained its roundthe- clock supportive services to frontline police officers and other government departments with information available on the Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System.
Domestic Violence and Child Protection
The Child Protection Unit continued to combat domestic violence and child abuse by adopting a multi-agency and cross-sectoral approach in pursuit of the twin goals of protecting victims whilst prosecuting offenders where appropriate. In addition to organising publicity campaigns to raise public awareness of domestic violence and child abuse, joint training courses were arranged for investigators, social workers and clinical psychologists.
Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support
During the year, the Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System continued to assist investigators in handling a large amount of case information to enhance the effectiveness of complex investigations.
Witness Protection
In 2012, the Witness Protection Unit continued to provide witness protection services in various forms for a number of diverse cases.
Force Search Unit officers demonstrate a security screening tool to Recruit Police Constables.
Counter Terrorism
During the year, the Counter Terrorism Response Unit continued to provide deterrence at sensitive premises throughout the territory, including critical infrastructures, mass transportation systems and premises of significance. The Unit procured a range of new equipment and participated in frequent joint training and exercises with other operations units to enhance its ability to meet any potential threat.
Counter Terrorism Response Unit officers conduct a regular drill.
Critical Infrastructure Security
The Critical Infrastructure Security Coordination Centre aims at enhancing the protection of critical infrastructures in Hong Kong and reducing their vulnerability to terrorist attacks through effective coordination with all stakeholders.
Force Search Unit
The Force Search Unit procured a new Ground Penetrating Radar, which is capable of scanning underground to evaluate whether the earth has been disrupted and to identify buried objects.
Police Dog Unit
In 2012, the Police Dog Unit had 73 patrol dogs (16 of them trained with drug detection capability), 15 passive alert drug detection dogs, 7 drug dectection and tracker dogs and 15 explosive search dogs.
Police dog undertakes a security search at Hong Kong Stadium.
Police Tactical Unit Headquarters
The Police Tactical Unit Headquarters provides training to the Force on crowd management, public order matters and various tactical issues. The Unit has sought to evolve its training to meet the changing needs of the public order environment in Hong Kong. Emphasis is placed on the facilitation of peaceful protest, but also on swift and resolute action to curtail any public disorder.
During the year, a Critical Incident Command Course was provided for inspectors and superintendents, with the aim of enhancing their ability to recognise, plan and execute inter-departmental operations in response to critical incidents.
Police Tactical Unit officers undergo an anti-riot exercise.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau is an essential part of the Force's counter-terrorism and internal security response. The Bureau is responsible for all bombs disposal work, including World War II munitions and all chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents that occur on both dry land and underwater in Hong Kong. During the year, a total of 97 incidents required EOD services. In October and November, the Bureau conducted a cross training programme with overseas experienced EOD operators.
Force Abseiling Cadre
The Force Abseiling Cadre supports frontline duties by tackling a range of Police work at height and in unusual positions. During the year, the Cadre provided a three-week Police Rope and Specialist Access Course to special units within the Force and the Shenzhen Public Service Bureau.
Police Public Engagement Office
The Police Public Engagement Office was established in October and is responsible for maintaining long-term working relationship with protest groups' leaders to facilitate the holding of peaceful protests.
Police Negotiation Cadre
The Police Negotiation Cadre consists of a group of dedicated volunteer officers who are available round-the-clock as a secondary duty to respond to terrorist and criminal hostage incidents, undertake crisis intervention and assist in liaison work for major public order events.
To enhance its professionalism and international cooperation, the Cadre conducts regular joint exercises with other counter-terrorist units and invites overseas experienced professional officers and academics to organise counter-terrorist workshops and seminars. The Cadre members also attended conferences and training courses organised by overseas counterparts. During the year, the Cadre was invited by The University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education to launch a post-graduate diploma programme in Public Order Studies (Crisis Negotiation).
The Cadre works in partnership with various non-governmental organisations and Government departments to organise suicide crisis intervention workshops for social workers, school principals and supervisors as well as hospital executives and counsellors.
Police Negotiation Cadre, Railway District and MTR Corporation jointly organise a negotiation exercise.
Briefing Support Unit
The Briefing Support Unit is an integral part of the Force's counterterrorism response. The Unit comprises voluntary Police officers ranging from constables to chief inspectors who, in addition to possessing individual skills, have received formal training in the interpretation of structural plans and drawings, and model building.
The main duty of the Unit is to produce models to scale to support operational planning, briefings for terrorist incidents, and investigations of and inquests regarding other major incidents.
Briefing Support Unit produces a model to assist in the investigation of the fire incident at Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok.
Police Licensing Office
Beginning in June, to enhance the transparency of processing public order events, the conditions imposed in respect of notifiable public order events were uploaded to Police Public Page.
During the year, the Police Licensing Office also arranged visits to liquor licensed premises for Liquor Licensing Board members and other relevant Government departments to update them on the situation regarding these premises.
In 2012, the Office processed 62 081 security personnel permit applications, 101 massage establishment licence applications, 218 pawnbroker licence applications and 4 184 liquor licence applications.
Force Escort Group
In 2012, the Force Escort Group provided 1 493 man-days of escort operations that totalled 75 mobilisations of a different nature, including escorting visiting VIPs, arms and ammunition, valuable properties as well as a hearse.
One of the primary duties of the Force Escort Group is to escort important visiting guests.
Transport Division
The Force has now procured more electric vehicles as part of its commitment to environmental protection. By the end of financial year 2012-2013, the number of electric motorcycles increased from 22 to 59 whereas that of electric saloons rose from 17 to 57. The pilot scheme for the use of B5 diesel in selected fleet vehicles has been running smoothly and will be extended for another two years.
All new large vans are fitted with a load-carrying system at the rear.
Occupational Safety and Health Cadre
The Occupational Safety and Health Cadre is made up of 29 members, each of whom is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. The Cadre's primary responsibility is to provide risk assessment and risk management training to Force members in order to ensure Forcewide compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. During the year, Cadre members provided training for over 340 Force members.
In order to keep Cadre members informed of the most recent developments in the arena of occupational safety and health, officers attended a series of local teaching seminars organised by the Occupational Safety and Health Council. During the year, members attended conferences and seminars including those organised in the Mainland and the United Kingdom.
Police Public Relations Branch
The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) plays an important role in enlisting public support in maintaining law and order by working in partnership with the media and fostering good relations with all sectors of the community. Information about Police activities is disseminated to local and overseas media round-the-clock. The PPRB also assisted in planning and implementing the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign 2012-13.
Police policies and operational priorities are made available to the public by Police Community Relations Officers while the Junior Police Call (JPC) Scheme and the Police School Liaison Programme serve as bridges between the Police Force and young people.
To keep the public abreast of crime trends and crime prevention measures, PPRB produces programmes entitled Police Magazine, Police Report and Police Bulletin. To further expand the existing communication channels for engaging the public, the Force launched a mobile application in July through which the public can retrieve useful Police information. PPRB also assists local and overseas TV broadcasters and film-production companies in producing TV dramas, documentaries and films related to Police work as well as liaising with other Government departments in relation to location filming.
During the year, PPRB published a newspaper Offbeat; a JPC newsletter; and the yearbook Hong Kong Police Review 2011, which won a Citation for Design in the 2012 Best Annual Report Awards organised by the Hong Kong Management Association.
The Force organises a Good Citizen Award Scheme, which gives recognition to citizens that have assisted the Police in fighting crimes. The scheme is sponsored by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. During the year, 79 persons received awards bestowed under the scheme.
Junior Police Call members participate in Fight Crime Summer Camp.
Traffic Branch Headquarters
The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2011 was passed by the Legislative Council on December 14, 2011 and became enforceable on March 15, 2012. The amended Ordinance provides the Police with the necessary powers to obtain drivers' specimens of blood and urine for laboratory tests, to test for impairment by drugs and the presence of drugs in body fluids, and to empower Police officers to require drivers to surrender their driving licences for a 24-hour period for specified drug driving and drink driving related offences.
Standing on one foot is a preliminary test to ascertain whether a driver is under the influence of drugs.
Custody Management Detention
The project to improve 33 Police detention facilities to a higher standard was completed during the year.
Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force plays a significant role in underpinning the regular Force's crowd management and crime fighting operations. In 2012, the Auxiliary Force continued to strengthen its engagement with the younger generation by recruiting talents from local universities. Quality training ensured that auxiliary members were kept fully informed of frontline operational requirements.
Auxiliary Police officers assist in crowd management.