Large-scale security search operation ensures Presidents' safety
Behind the pomp and circumstance of the HKSAR First Anniversary celebrations lay an intensive Force search operation that guaranteed the safety of the event	HONG KONG POLICE presence was much in evidence overseeing the security operations for last week's visits by President Jiang Zemin, who presided over the HKSAR First Anniversary celebrations (July 1), then officiated at the opening of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok (July 2); followed closely by a 24-hour whirlwind tour of Hong Kong (July 2-3) by American President Bill Clinton who was in China for a Sino-US summit. Less visible, although equally essential, was the behind-the-scenes preliminary work done by the Force Search Unit which was fully mobilised to absolutely ensure the security of the many venues visited by the Chinese and American Presidents as well as their entourages and other dignitaries.
Comprising 260 regular officers divided into 31 teams, the Force Search Unit is formed of search cadres recalled from their own formations to conduct searches at venues to be visited by Internationally Protected Persons (IPPs). Working closely with the Force's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, Police Dog Unit, Special Duties Unit as well as the VIP Protection Unit, the high-rise team, breathing apparatus team and vessel search team of the Force Search Unit were also deployed to conduct searches. To ensure the personal safety, especially for officers conducting high-rise and confined space searches, equipment has been regularly replaced with safer apparatus. "Because the number and physical size of venues needing to be searched this time was greater and more diverse than last year's Handover ceremonies and the World Bank/IMF Annual Meeting, a full mobilisation of the Force Search Unit was necessary," said Superintendent Leung Man-kon, Key Point and Search Division of Operations Wing which is responsible for the co-ordination of venue search and screening support for protective security operation. "Apart from the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and hotels where visiting IPPs stayed, areas needing to be covered included the Hong Kong Coliseum, Chek Lap Kok new airport, vehicle escort routes, walk-a-bout locales, as well as piers and sea craft to be boarded by the IPPs," continued SP Leung, referring to President Jiang's visits to a hospital and shopping arcade, the PLA base at Stonecutters' Island, and President Clinton's dinner reception at the former Government House, a keynote speech at the HKCEC and a walk-about in Central. "There is no compromise in the safety requirements for the two leaders."

To quote just one example of the magnitude of the various police operations, because of its close proximity to the Hong Kong Coliseum (which presented the show celebrating the first anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong SAR), the Kowloon and Canton Railway Station and its platforms as well as adjacent areas also needed to be searched. "The biggest challenge we faced during the search was to secure the Enhanced Security Restricted Area (ESRA) of the new airport due to its enormous size and frequent flow of workers and staff in and out of the area. Moreover, our search needed to tie in with the schedule for the relocation of Kai Tak Airport to Chek Lap Kok," said SP Leung. The visits of the two leaders (within a four-day period) also presented a challenge to the Force Search Unit. Police Search Advisers conducted searches at each venue. They were responsible for the planning and execution of the searches as well as for providing on-site advice to venue commanders.

Before President Jiang set foot in the HKSAR his and his entourage's safety was assured

In addition to full mobilisation of the Force Search Unit, over 400 police officers were drawn from Headquarters units such as Crime Wing, Service Quality Wing and Training Wing to perform screening duties at venues which included accreditation of guests, government and non-government staff, venue staff as well as journalists. They also conducted screening for arms and explosives. The Police Training School provided refresher training for these 400-odd officers who had been trained and deployed at last year's venues. Although the scale of the search and almost overlapping dates of the visits of the two leaders presented a great challenge to the Force Search Unit, its well-trained and motivated team members working long hours through public holidays together with all other officers and units involved made the search a total success. ( See Photo Feature for more photograhics )