Promoting overseas courses: (front row from left) PCRO Jocelyn Cheung, SP Mariana Cheung, SGT Monica Lam, (back row from left) SPs Paul Lau and Brian Lowcock

A variety of overseas courses are now available for officers seeking career advancement.

Broadening the scope of educational opportunities for officers, courses are now available in a number of countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and Singapore with the specific aim of improving professional knowledge and ability, and expanding mental horizons.

These also present the Force with new opportunities for global network expansion together with a practical knowledge and understanding of a variety of cultures.

Ranging from two to five weeks, course selection is based on high standards, value for money, relevance to police work and developmental needs of the nominees.

Superintendent Support Training Mariana Cheung Fung-yee said: "From the course evaluation forms received from nominees and through post-course debriefing we are satisfied that the courses offered meet the Force's needs and are of very high quality."

"It is apparent that overseas training not only enchances an individual officer's competence for effective management, but that knowledge and skills gained also strengthen the Force's position in meeting the challenges of a global knowledge-based society."

SP Cheung said that Non-Commissioned Officers now had more opportunities to participate in overseas courses.

"Through close liaison with Singapore Police Force (SPF), we have secured around 20 training places per year with them. This is great for NCOs who will feel at ease in Singapore as the Chinese portion of Singapore's culture is similar to Hong Kong's. Furthermore, the SPF courses are of a high standard which suit our officers' developmental needs."

"We now have the potential for great development of all officers, whereas previously we had fewer training positions available for lower ranks. So we will look for more international courses which will benefit our officers and offer the best value for money."

SP Career Management Paul Lau said: "PCs' academic qualifications have risen of late, so we are considering new courses for these officers with potential so they can move into higher ranks. Education standards are now so high we can look at providing more NCOs with overseas training."

"All nominees will be considered by a Personnel Wing selection panel. Overall performance rating, long-term potential, standards of education and any previous overseas training by candidates will be taken into consideration when selecting the most suitable officers for such courses," SP Lau added.

Planning and Development SP Brian Lowcock studied at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan Castle near Edinburgh in February and March.

"The main benefit of my course was the fact that there were 16 of us in the same classroom from forces all over the world. The combined police experience added up to some 400 years, providing a very wide scope of knowledge." he said.

New Territories Complaints Against Police Office Sergeant Monica Lam Wai-ngor became the first female NCO to attend a course in Singapore.

"The citystate is a lot more racially diverse than Hong Kong making policing quite different. Police culture there is also very different with officers gathering every morning before work to pledge allegiance to the Force and Singapore, and staying after hours to assess their day's work."

Central District Police Community Relations Officer Jocelyn Cheung Ching who studied at the Australian Institute of Police Management in Sydney stated: "My programme was highly demanding academically and beforehand we had to undertake a three-month distance-learning course. The course contained a lot of management theory and gave us a great opportunity to exchange views and practices with attending officers."





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