Superintendent Ernest Wong and Chief Inspector Gary Tang, both from Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, attended a three-week International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) in the U.S., hosted by the U.S. Department of State, in late March.

The two Force members and officers from Customs and Excise Department and ICAC formed a four-member delegation to attend a variety of meetings in five U.S. cities - Washington D.C., New York, Boston, El Paso and Los Angeles.

The IVLP was rolled out in 1940 for trainees to get a better understanding of the different law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and their co-operation at international, state and local levels via fusion centres spreading across the U.S.

Through the IVLP, the Force members came to understand how the U.S. Government strengthened the intelligence sharing among agencies by establishing fusion centres and task forces to combat terrorism, financial crimes, drugs trafficking, human trafficking, cyber crimes and other organised crimes. In addition, the programme also arranged visits to the U.S. Congress, Department of State and a bank headquarters, allowing the delegation to exchange views with U.S. officers on international co-operation as well as cyber and financial crimes.

In a globalised environment where law enforcement agencies face similar challenges, the programme offered a valuable opportunity for direct exchange between the Force members and U.S. officials. It also opened up new avenues for enhancing co-operation and sharing good practices.