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Discipline unit pilot scheme set
 Incoming Adjudicating Officer Superintendent David Lo |
A pilot scheme to have some disciplinary cases heard centrally has been set up to ease the workload of formation commanders hearing them.
The Force Discipline Adjudication Unit (FDAU) comes into operation on September 1, with a Superintendent appointed as Adjudicating Officer (AO).
Under the scheme, complicated or serious disciplinary cases from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon East and Marine Regions would be considered for adjudication by the FDAU.
The move, part of the ongoing review of the Force disciplinary system, is to relieve formation SPs of the burden of adjudicating time-consuming disciplinary cases of a complicated or serious nature.
Established under Personnel Wing and housed in Wan Chai's Tai Sang Commercial Building, the Unit will feature specially-designed hearing rooms and recording equipment. Regional SPs would continue to adjudicate simpler and less-complicated cases, and disciplinary investigations and the appointment of senior officers, prosecutors and interpreters would remain Regional responsibilities.
Chief Superintendent Personnel Management Kevan Cooper said he expected the scheme to greatly benefit not only formation SPs, but also the officers facing adjudication who could be assured their case would be heard expeditiously and efficiently.
"Some of these cases can be very long and complicated and can take the adjudicators away from their general frontline duties. They may not be able to fully concentrate on running their unit. We want to see whether a centralised adjudicating unit will relieve the pressure on these officers," Mr Cooper said, adding Districts and staff associations consulted on the unit's setup have been supportive.
"Frontline commanders do have a responsibility for the application of discipline in their own formation, which includes hearings. Therefore it is important we ensure the more routine and less-serious cases continue to be heard by formation commanders."
Tsing Yi Divisional Commander David Lo Tak-fai, who takes up the post of AO in September, said despite the challenge of helping set up the new Unit, he felt it would be more convenient for officers facing disciplinary action.
"The primary objective of the FDAU is to speed up hearings and complete cases as quickly as possible to relieve pressure on officers against whom a discipline charge has been laid," Mr Lo said.
"The FDAU will conduct disciplinary hearings in the same manner as other tribunals in accordance to Police discipline regulations, with findings and awards subject to confirmation by the Force Discipline Officer."
The AO looks at the charges and evidence brought forward and examines both the prosecution and defence sides carefully. He is empowered to make awards up to a severe reprimand or caution in cases involving Junior Police Officers and Inspectorate officers respectively, with anything higher made by a more senior officer.
The scheme would be reviewed in August next year, taking into account feedback from participating formations and staff associations.