The kick-off ceremony of the Junior Police Call@Mock Trial Competition 2018-19 was held at Police Headquarters on November 23. Being one of the highlights of the Junior Police Call revitalisation programme (JPC+), the competition is organised for the first time by the JPC and the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong, with full support of the Bank of China (Hong Kong).

The competition provides an opportunity for young people to enhance their understanding of crime investigation, criminal proceedings, the trial process, the legal system and law enforcement work. The event also aims at developing their critical thinking abilities and sense of civic responsibility as well as reminding them to obey the law and respect others.

At the ceremony, a 10-year-old JPC member played a famous television theme song - "The File of Justice" with a saxophone to lead the officiating guests to enter the venue. The kick-off ceremony was presided over by Assistant Commissioner (Support) cum Chairperson of the Junior Police Call Central Advisory Board Lam Hiu-tong, General Manager of Institutional Business Department at Bank of China (Hong Kong) Mr Chan Man, Project Consultant of the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention Mr Wong Man-kit and Senior Superintendent (Community Relations) of Police Public Relations Branch Yu Hoi-kwan.

About 200 members of the JPC Central Advisory Board, JPC Honorary Presidents, Force representatives, headmasters and students attended the ceremony. A law quiz and a draw of the competition for 20 participating schools were also held in the event.

The competition and other related educational activities will commence next January. Over 300 JPC members and 2 000 students are expected to participate in the events. The contestants will play the role of lawyers, witnesses and court clerks in mock trials. Volunteers from the legal professions will be invited to coach the contestants before the competition. A debriefing will be arranged for the contestants after the competition.