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CC system set for technological overhaul
 SP Keith Chau, OC for the review |
Technological advances in crime fighting are on course with the upgrading of the ageing second-generation Command and Control System.
Improvements to communications and access to information are expected when CC II becomes obsolete in 2004 and is replaced by a more advanced and updated system.
Comprising the beat radio network, the Regional Command and Control Centres and 999 reporting facilities, CC II has been used for a decade and is set to retire in four year's time.
Its deficiencies are expected to include high maintenance costs and out-of-date analogue radio technology which will no longer be able to support data transmission.
Commissioner of Police Eddie Hui Ki-on pledged in his 1999 review the Force would take full advantage of recent rapid advances in information technology through the implementation of CC III. Proposals for some of the technology to be used in CC III were forwarded to the Strategic Direction Group last year and a review has just been completed by Operations Wing.
Officer-in-charge of the review Superintendent Keith Chau said it was suggested the structure of the RCCCs and 999 reporting facilities remain, but that they be bolstered through the set-up of digital and other technology. It was also suggested to equip front-line duties with mobile computers. He said consultation exercises were recently conducted with front-line officers through meetings, questionnaires and training days to canvass their views on CC III.
"The current system will soon be obsolete and CC III will bring in technology which will be needed by the time of its implementation four years down the line.
"So in preparing for this, we have conducted the review looking at the existing structure of the RCCCs and consulted users on what features they feel they need in a mobile computer system," Mr Chau said.
"Front-line officers were consulted for these views which have been considered in the conclusions and recommendations of the review."
Mr Chau said analogue radio systems used now were vulnerable to problems such as eavesdropping.
It was hoped advances such as digital technology could not only eradicate the problems, but also open up a host of new improvements and conveniences. He added that on-line access to databases such as EPONICS, through mobile computers would also bring about strong advances in future policing.
"We are aware of the advancement in technology and we are in constant search for new technologies to serve and improve the overall efficiency of the Force, especially front-line officers," Mr Chau said.
The proposals are set to be heard by Legislators and approval for funds would be sought.