In that particular year, TWDIST was allocated 10 SCIC vacancies whereas there were 19 suitable officers available. Whilst the remaining nine were placed on reserve, it was considered that it was unlikely that sufficient vacancies would ever exist.

The 'Secondment of Uniformed Branch (UB) officers to Detective Duties' scheme was designed to: (1) enable all willing and suitable officers with a genuine interest in investigation duties an opportunity to experience criminal investigation work; (2) enable management to assess their suitability for crime duties, and (3) identify the most suitable officers for attending SCIC 1.

In October 2002, 11 officers from Tsuen Wan Division and Lei Muk Shue Division were deployed on three-month long secondments. After their secondment they returned to UB duties. During the secondment, they were subjected to constant supervision and guidance and undertook a number of duties performed by crime officers. On completion of the secondment, an Assessment Report (AR) was compiled. This AR is considered by the Assistant District Commander Crime (ADC Crime) when considering a candidate's suitability for crime work.

An assessment of the scheme at the end of January revealed the following positive advantages it gave TWDIST: (1) The ARs helped the ADC Crime during the SCIC Selection Board to identify the officers most suitable; (2) the officers seconded had an opportunity to experience crime work and decide whether they were still interested (reducing the subsequent drop out rate among graduates); (3) it created a pool of officers available for temporary deployment when there was a shortage of crime officers, and (4) the understanding between UB and CID units was enhanced.

TWDIST Commander, Mr Austin Kerrigan, said that the scheme was an undoubted success. "The first batch of secondees had worked diligently and made a significant contribution to divisional crime efforts," Mr Kerrigan affirmed, "and more importantly, it enabled us to obtain an insight into their suitability. It also demonstrated to the officers concerned that the Force did care about them as individuals, and was prepared to encourage those with competence and ambition to reach their goals."

Feedback from Potential Detectives

"The secondment was an exiting, informative, skill-generating experience which convinced me that my interest in detective work was not a passing fancy but something to which I was both willing and suited to do for the rest of my career.

"I am most grateful to have had the opportunity to work as a team member with my dedicated and competent colleagues.

"My most memorable 'success' was when I was given a report on a 'lost, suspected stolen' handbag containing the lady complainant's Visa card. Though she had reported the loss/theft promptly, several purchases had already been made. I visited the shop and with the help of staff identified the thief on CCTV tapes and was able to forward it to UB for action. I helped in many other enquiries. I found all of them to be of interest," he concluded.

At the end of the course, Mr Ng was classified as suitable for detective work and his subsequent annual report graded him "Outstanding". He is now keeping his fingers crossed for a SCIC vacancy.

Woman Police Constable Ms Wan Fung-mei only started her secondment in April. She was bubblingly enthusiastic about her duties, working environment, and the new skills she was acquiring.

"Of course, I am only working as a junior member of a team of experienced detectives and I know that I still have much to learn. I am particularly grateful to the sympathetic and generous help afforded me by my team leader and colleagues.

"I know that I may have to wait for a vacancy for the SCIC but I will be patient, because I am sure that eventually I will succeed."

Ms Wan is a keen sports woman in track events and, during a recent private trip to South Korea widened her interests to include skating and skiing.

Mr Kerrigan's final words were: "If you look after the interests of your staff, you are automatically looking after the interests of the formation and, indeed, the Force itself. This scheme helps us to confirm the most suitable people to attend SCIC 1 and weeds out, pre-course, those who find they have no aptitude for or continuing interest in crime work."

PC Mr Ng Kin-chung (second right) is keen on CID work