With the ever-rising public expectation towards police service, 27 per cent of the reportable complaints received in 2013 were related to traffic policing. Therefore, Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO), in collaboration with Traffic Branch Headquarters (TBHQ) and Psychological Services Group, has launched a complaint prevention project - Project "CHANGE".
The objective of the project is to reduce preventable traffic complaints through three Ps: (a) Professionalism - To strengthen frontline officers' skills in dealing with the public during traffic policing; (b) Prevention Awareness - To raise officers' awareness of preventing and reducing avoidable complaints arising from traffic duties; and (c) Public Expectation - To address the public expectation towards traffic enforcement and accident investigation.
The project consists of three parts. In part one, CAPO will partner with TBHQ and clinical psychologist to produce a tailor-made training package for frontline officers engaged in traffic duties. Focus will be placed on sharing of real CAPO cases, psychological training and Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) comments. Interactive tools such as videos and audios will also be included in the training package.
The first edition of the training package was released in July. It will be revised quarterly in order to keep frontline officers updated on the latest complaints prevention information.
Part two is a force-wide four-framed comic competition to make officers more aware of preventing avoidable traffic-related complaints. Officers who are recommended by Regional Complaints Prevention Committees to participate in the competition are encouraged to come up with suggestions on effective complaints prevention measures. Through the competition, hopefully frontline officers would develop a more sensitive and professional mindset when dealing with the public. CAPO, TBHQ and IPCC will form an Adjudicating Panel to select winners according to the innovation and creativity displayed in their submissions. Details of the competition will be released later in this quarter.
The last part will focus on addressing public expectation towards traffic enforcement and accident investigation through Police Magazine and Police YouTube channel. CAPO will collaborate with TBHQ and Police Public Relations Branch in producing a series of short films. The films will adopt stories from real cases, and focus on explaining use of discretion in traffic enforcement, limitation on using discretion and the procedures of traffic accident investigation. By enhancing public understanding, complaints arising from misunderstanding can be avoided.
