With the arrangement made by Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch (C&IIB), five members of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), Mr Albert Cheng, Ms Lau Yuk-kuen, Miss Wong Hang-yee, Mr Adrian Yip and Mr Gerard Chung, visited Police College on December 3 to take a close look at police training, particularly that related to handling of confrontational incidents.
Accompanied by Director of Management Services Lau Yip-shing, Assistant Commissioner (Service Quality) Peter Morgan and C&IIB Chief Superintendent Evelyn Lam, the IPCC members were greeted by Senior Superintendent (Foundation Training) Mark Foster.
The visit started with Recruit Training Division Superintendent Tan Wing-yuen and Basic Competency Training Division Superintendent David Shephard introducing the objectives and contents of Probationary Inspector and Recruit Police Constable training. After the introduction, the IPCC Members proceeded to the Tactics Training Complex and mini-range and watched a beat incident exercise conducted by recruits.
Meeting college instructors and junior police officers attending various training courses, the IPCC members exchanged views with the officers. The officers also referred to the problems and confronting situations they encountered in their daily enforcement work. In response, the members said they appreciated that the Force is one of the most reliable law enforcement agencies in the world. They also encouraged the officers to remain professional and calm in face of a confrontational situation.
During a discussion session, Mr Albert Cheng said he held the Force in high regard. Referring to the recent confrontations in public events, he reminded the officers to continue to facilitate peaceful demonstrations and remain impartial in handling the events.
On conclusion of their visit, the IPCC Members were delighted to have the opportunity to see first class training and have frank exchanges with college instructors and trainees.
C&IIB will continue to organise similar visits for IPCC members and arrangements will be made for them to conduct onsite observation during major public events.
DFCC visit
Following the visits to Police College's Foundation Training Centre by the district fight crime committees (DFCCs) on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon East, DFCCs in Kowloon City, Sham Shui Po and Yau Tsim Mong in Kowloon West made a similar visit on November 14.
Being one of the Force's close working partners, DFCCs also play the role as a link between police and the community. Through visits to campus facilities and meetings with officers, DFCC members have more confidence in the Force, while trainees get to know more about their roles in community engagement.
Superintendent Tan stressed that Police College constantly focuses on three important learning aspects, namely "Attitude", "Skill" and "Knowledge". Attitude, being the most important one, emphasises on professionalism and values, and trainees are constantly reminded of the positive working attitude and mindset they should possess.
