The new-look Force website has been launched sporting a host of top new services for staff and the public. The new page was unveiled during Commissioner Tsang Yam-pui's year-end review on January 18.

The new site provides electronic services such as online lodging of reports, real-time footage from traffic cameras, bulletin boards, and a host of links to other relevant sites.

The page was now also available on Report Room kiosks for staff and the public who do not have other Internet access, allowing them to seek information or lodge online reports at police stations. The system uses encryption on a secure government server to ensure privacy. Those lodging reports simply had to fill out and submit the online form just like they would a faxed one.

Information Systems Acting Superintendent (e-Police Unit) Kieran Wright said: "We wanted to convert the Force homepage from an information-type website to a client/services orientated site, so the first thing we needed to do was determine who our customers were."

Looking at hit and click rate statistics and drawing from webpage user feedback, designers found most Police page visitors were residents, tourists and business people.

"Homepage visitors were looking mainly at sections such as OffBeat and recruitment. Pages which were carrying simply text information and items going to the most minute detail were hardly looked at so they were changed." Other online services included the catering to requests for access to information and data privacy, and links to other relevant pages both within the Force and to agencies overseas.

"For example, if you go to the missing persons report section, you will find local links to the Missing Persons and the Child Protection Policy Units, and international ones such as the Hague Convention. Similarly, on the wanted persons page, you will also see links to the ICAC, Interpol and the FBI. We also have an interactive map with links to police forces and agencies around the world," he said.

Real time traffic pictures via Transport Department cameras allow drivers to see traffic conditions before venturing out, to help avoid congested roads, while Flash movies provide eye-catching responses to frequently asked questions.

Obligatory information such as the Force structure, phone numbers and statistics were also upgraded and made easier to read for lay visitors. The latest press releases, police welfare bulletins and other notices would also keep visitors up to date.

A special section for former staff, featuring bulletin boards for them to keep in touch with old Force colleagues, was another feature.

Mr Wright said: "I expected problems in getting this new page up as you always get teething problems with new sites. But despite a fair amount of complexity and a very tight deadline we managed to make it all work and get a Chinese version up also, which gave us double duty! There has been a lot of effort involved since we started the revamp in early December, seeing us working to midnight on a number of occasions. However, we are very pleased with the way it has come out."

Web master: Ag SP Kieran Wright and the new homepage

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