The 19th Symposium on Police Studies of the Straits-cum-Hong Kong and Macao was held at Hong Kong from November 5 to 8. This was the fourth time that the Hong Kong Police Force (the Force) was invited by the Police Association of China (PAC) to co-host the symposium in Hong Kong. In addition to the exchange of policing expertise, the Police Painting and Calligraphy Exhibition of the Strait-cum-Hong Kong and Macao was held at the same time, with 87 artworks on display at the venue, featuring the talent of painters and calligraphers from the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

Themed around “Smart Technologies Empowerment and Police Modernisation”, this year’s symposium attracted around 175 participants who were either law enforcement officers or academic experts from the four jurisdictions. They shared their findings in policing research studies and made a concerted effort to explore how smart technologies could dovetail with police modernisation to enhance overall governance.

The symposium covered a wide range of topics, including digital policing, cross-border crime, anti-narcotics investigation, technology crime and anti-deception. 35 papers were selected and presented in seven plenary sessions, with comments and explications from ten academic experts of the four jurisdictions. The papers selected from Hong Kong were presented by Superintendent Leung Chi-hang, Chief Inspector Chan Hok-chun, Senior Inspector Leung Kin-tung and Senior Immigration Officer Ms Chow Nga-yin.

In addition to the calligraphy and painting exhibition, Exhibition of Applied Technology in Policing took place at the venue, showcasing a number of technological applications of the Force, including the patrol robot, Scameter+ and the Chatbot Kiosk for Police Foundation Training. Also, the delegates were arranged to visit various formations to understand the work of frontline officers.

The delegates opined that they had learned much from the symposium as it not only inspired them on the latest police practices on cross-border crimes, law enforcement cooperation and crime prevention within the context of the four jurisdictions, but also enhanced their knowledge and understanding of smart technologies empowerment, which would further modernise policing and optimise police practices.

(From left) Officiating guests are Secretary for Security Mr Tang Ping-keung, Honourable Chairman of the Criminal Investigation and Prevention Association Mr Andre Koo, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR Mr Luo Yonggang, PAC Chairman Mr Xu Ganlu, Chief Secretary for Administration Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Commissioner Siu Chak-yee and Secretary for Security of Macao Mr Wong Sio-chak.

The Commissioner delivers a speech at the opening ceremony.

Delegates visit the Exhibition of Applied Technology in Policing.

PAC Chairman Mr Xu Ganlu (second right), the Commissioner (first right) and delegates appreciate the artworks from the Mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao.

Officer introduces the Force's first patrol robot to the delegates.

A speaker from Hong Kong presents his paper at the plenary session.