A Force Working Group on Stop and Search (FWGSS) was established in January 2012 to conduct a holistic review of Stop and Search Acton, and address the concerns of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) about the action. The FWGSS, chaired by Senior Superintendent (Crime Support) Betty Pang and comprising representatives from Crime Wing, Operations Wing, Police College and Service Quality Wing, has reviewed exercise of police power, procedures and effectiveness of Stop and Search Action with a view to identifying areas for professional enhancement.

 

The review affirmed the importance of Stop and Search Action in preventing and detecting crimes. The review also assured that the Force would provide sufficient guidelines and training on the principles, logic, manner and documentation of Stop and Search Action.  

 

According to statistics, about 7.1 per cent of the total number of complaints against police was related to Stop and Search Action and most complaints were minor in nature involving officers' behaviour and attitude.

 

To further enhance the professionalism of officers in conducting Stop and Search Action and its effectiveness in preventing and detecting crimes, the FWGSS has recommended conducting roadshows for frontline Non-commissioned Officers (NCO) on a Regional basis for sharing findings of the review, in particular the behaviour and awareness of officers conducting Stop and Search Action. The review has also reiterated the importance of NCOs' supervisory roles and responsibilities.  

 

The FWGSS has designed a training package, which includes revision of relevant legislation, case studies, role-play exercises and, most importantly, NCOs' role and responsibility as a supervising officer during Stop and Search Action. Superintendent (Operations) at Police Headquarters Yeung Man-pun and Superintendent (Headquarters, Complaints Against Police Office) Tong Chi-chung, together with officers from Operations Wing and Police College, delivered two train-the-trainer workshops for trainers from Regions in Police College on September 5 and 12. 

 

Two IPCC members, Mr Eric Cheung and Mr Lawrence Ma, attended the workshop on September 5 and explained the role of IPCC and their views and expectations on Stop and Search Action. Both noted that police work had become more complicated and diverse. They stressed that it was not the intention of IPCC to see less Stop and Search actions to avoid complaints, but rather officers' ability to exercise professional judgement and level of each Stop and Search Action, and the importance of maintaining a proper record of every Stop and Search Action.

 

The roadshows at individual Regions commenced in October and are expected to conclude next month.   It is anticipated that with the training, frontline officers would be more capable of conducting Stop and Search in a professional manner. This, in turn, would help to prevent complaints and enhance the image of the Force as a whole. 

 

On completion of the road shows, the relevant training materials will be uploaded onto POINT for frontline officers' reference.