Beat patrols will be equipped with mobile phones under a three-month trial to enhance operational communication. The phones were intended to supplement the beat radio system.

SP Felix Law said busy Wan Chai, Mong Kok and Tsuen Wan Districts would participate in the trial, set to start in the coming weeks pending final approval.

"The beat radio will remain the primary means for communication, and mobiles will be used in situations such as poor radio reception, or when lengthy reports or sensitive information needs to be called into the console. The phone can also enhance our service to the public by allowing officers to call informants," he said.

"We have chosen these three Districts to conduct the trial as they are among the busiest and we want to give this idea a thorough test."

Regulations have been drawn up on the phones' use, and they would be carried in officers' waist pouches.

"Action is in hand to formulate a suitable package for Police. Obviously, we will try to ensure the phones will be as suitable as possible for police use," he said. "We are looking at having one phone per beat, and to provide phones for supervising Non-Commissioned Officers and Inspectors."

It was hoped the idea would facilitate operational needs until the ongoing Command and Control Three (CC3) study came to fruition. CC3 would introduce an advanced beat radio system using digital technology to provide comprehensive radio coverage supporting high-speed data and image transmission, in addition to voice. The transmissions would be encrypted, greatly enhancing protection against eavesdropping and other unauthorised access.



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