A total of 120 officers from the Force, Social Welfare Department (SWD), Hospital Authority, Department of Health, Department of Justice, and some non-governmental organisations (NGOs), who are required to work with children and mentally incapacitated persons, participated in a new training programme, Video Recorded Interview with Child and Mentally Incapacitated Witnesses (VCM), on February 26.

 

Chief Superintendent (CSP) (Crime Support) Matthew Hemmings and SWD Assistant Director (Family and Child Welfare), Mr Fung Man-chung, officiated at an inauguration ceremony that day to mark the establishment of the new training programme jointly organised by the Force and SWD. 

 

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, CSP Hemmings said, "Protection of children and mentally incapacitated persons is not only an arduous and challenging task, but also an extremely meaningful one. The successful establishment of the new VCM training system embodies both multi-disciplinary collaboration and the importance that the Force and SWD attach to protection of children and mentally incapacitated persons, with both departments having put in plentiful resources."

 

The VCM replaces the Child Protection Special Investigation training which was established in 1995. The new training programme consists of several levels, allowing for more flexibility. The VCM will invite officers from the Uniform Branch, representatives from other government departments and NGOs to participate in the Level IA training, which provides the basic knowledge of handling children and mentally incapacitated persons.  Level IB, Level II and Level III training provide professional knowledge of conducting video recorded interviews with children and mentally incapacitated persons.  Level IV is a comprehensive train-the-trainer programme.