Force Search Unit develops professional search capabilities

The Force Search Unit (FSU) was established in 1992 as one of the counter-terrorism units in the Force. In addition to their basic duty of conducting security screening and venue search for explosive devices, weapons and dangerous goods in major events, the cadre also offers assistance in retrieving evidence at scenes of crime and other professional search operations as well as the search of missing persons in rural areas.

With some 400 members, the FSU is the largest Volunteer Secondary Duty Cadre of the Force. Following the setup of the FSU Training School in Sha Ling in 2003, the professional capabilities of FSU members have been enhanced steadily with the aid of the training venue, search facilities and security screening equipment to cope with various anti-terrorist search operations.

OffBeat invited the Officer-in-charge of the FSU Cadre, Superintendent Tang Chi-ming, together with Senior Inspector (SIP) Wong Tung-pan, Probationary Inspector (PI) Ngai Man-wan, Sergeants (SGTs) Law Kam-ming and Wong King-man, and Police Constables (PCs) Wong Yau-tak and Fong Yee-wah to share with readers the role and experience of the cadre.

Division of work

The FSU has a headquarters team, which is in charge of administration, operations co-ordination, staff training, maintenance of search tools and logistics arrangements.

Members are grouped into one of the general search teams to perform venue search, security screening and crime scene search duties. In addition to the general search teams, the specialised teams - Vehicle, High-Rise and Confined Space Search Teams - would be mobilised to tackle the situation of different search venues.

Professional judgement

SGT Wong cited a case to illustrate the clues to a successful search operation. "Once the search team members had to enter the wreckage of a sunken vessel to look for the missing crewmen in a collision. Before we started, we used tools to make sure there was no poisonous gas in the cabin, which was in complete darkness, and brought along breathing apparatuses to reduce risks in the operation. This shows that the FSU's professional knowledge and judgement are very important."

On the other hand, SIP Wong commented that the team members' mutual support is another key to success in conducting operations. "Officers often have to work at height or in confined space, and their safety depends very much on the co-operation and trust of the team members." Furthermore, officers have to take into regard the expectations of different parties to minimise any inconvenience caused to other government departments, site managers and other stakeholders to solicit their support to work out a successful operation.

Unforgettable experience

The FSU members usually have to carry out defensive search and security screening in large-scale activities. Such experience will help broaden the officers' horizons. PC Wong who has joined the FSU for over 22 years said, "I was fortunate to have involved in the security work of the Handover Ceremony in 1997 and was honoured to have witnessed the historic moments. Besides, I meet many good partners and expand my social circle in the cadre."

After the collapse of a building at Ma Tau Wai Road in 2010, the FSU received a resident's special request, which impressed SGT Law. "After deliberation about the request and the related risk assessment, we entered the disaster area and used search techniques to recover the only family photograph from the rubble for the resident. The resident was grateful to us for helping to retrieve this memorable item. We had not only completed the task, but also helped people in need. It was worth the effort."

QF accreditation

The FSU conducts an annual recruitment exercise, which covers a series of group discussions and interviews. Successful candidates will be required to attend a three-week basic training course and then be enrolled in a 24- to 30-month Diploma Programme in Police Search and Venue Security to study various search techniques and behavioural observation techniques. Officers who have completed the programme will be awarded a Level 3 Certificate under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (QF).

PI Ngai remarked, "The incumbent team members have to attend an annual refresher training to maintain our search skills. We may enhance our analytical abilities and resilience through the course to handle emergencies more effectively and to facilitate our daily policing work." PC Fong added, "The training system of the FSU is robust. After completing the Diploma Programme, the officers will be able to continue studies in other tertiary institutions in Hong Kong."

Striving for progress

This year, the FSU will celebrate its inception for the 25th year. The cadre has been improving continuously its quality of service and search techniques. It not only trains counter-terrorism personnel for the Force, but also shares its professional knowledge with law enforcement agencies on the Mainland and overseas with a view to raising the Force's international status.