The two officers, Mr Liu Min and Mr Li Qun, paid a study visit to MKDIST between June 28 and July 9 under the Staff Training Exchange Programme between the Force and the Shanghai Public Security Bureau. Mr Liu is a senior member of the Bureau's criminal investigation department, while Mr Li is an instructor at the Shanghai Police Academy.

Prior to their study visit, the two officers had different areas of interest. Mr Liu wanted to find out how and why the Force has managed to rank among the best police forces in the world. On the other hand, Mr Li was interested in studying how the Uniform Branch operates and how "minor cases" are handled from making arrest to taking out prosecution.

The officers commenced their study visit on June 27 with briefings at Training Wing on the Force's structure and training facilities, as well as the hierarchy and work of Region, District and Division. Visit was also paid to the Technology Crime Division at PHQ. Thereafter, they spent the rest of their visit with Mong Kok District, studying frontline policing, crime investigations and operations, work of various units and report room, anti-triad operations, intelligence gathering, and internal communication.

They also made on-the-spot observation of crowd management and traffic control, and toured major commercial districts and infrastructure projects in the territory.

Summing up observations of their visit to MKDIST, both officials spoke highly of officers' quality, sense of commitment, efficiency and expertise.

Mr Lau said what had impressed him most was officers' effective implementation of the policies and strategies laid down by the Force.

Having observed frontline policing on the spot, Mr Li felt that the Force had gained the co-operation and support by the general public. "Two things have struck me most. Firstly, I was deeply impressed by officers' quality, their training and the high demands of their work. Secondly, law enforcement is carried out effectively, and is supported by the general public," he noted.

Lastly, both officers regarded the Staff Training Exchange Programme as an effective means of strengthening co-operation, liaison and communication between their bureau and the Force.

Shanghai Security Bureau officers (left) take a close look at Report Room operations in MKDIST