The officers, Mr Zhong Yongjian, a Deputy Divisional Head, and Lu Yuan, a Deputy Station Head, paid a study visit to the Force from August 1 to 12 under a Staff Training Exchange Programme between the Force and the Guangdong Public Security Bureau. About two months ago, two Public Security Officers from Shanghai spent two weeks in Mong Kok District under a similar exchange programme.

The Guangzhou officers began their visit by calling on Chief Superintendent (In-Service Training) To Chun-wai for a general briefing on the structure and work of PHQ, Regions, Districts and Divisions. The following day, they headed for KTDIST for a study attachment.

Amid their busy schedules in KTDIST, Kwun Tong Division and Tseung Kwan O Division, the officers took time out to visit the training facilities in the Police Training School and tour some of the major commercial districts in the territory.

In an interview with OffBeat, Mr Zhong pointed out that the exchange programme, besides promoting understanding, would enable both parties to enhance police practices by adopting each other's merits.

"The Hong Kong Police have a long history; we hope to bring back some of your good practices for solving our problems that are emerging in a fast-changing society," said Mr Lu.

Speaking of his study attachment to KTDIST, Mr Zhong said what he had observed there underlined the Force's concept of adopting a service-oriented approach and striving for excellence. "I saw in Kwun Tong that to further tackle burglaries, a special team has been formed despite limited resources. The team has arrested some burglary gangs, showing the District wants to do better, although crime cases had dropped in 2004 and in the first half of this year," he noted.

Mr Zhong is impressed with the extensive use of information technology in Kwun Tong. "Basically everything is computerised there, from telephone complaints, report room reports and fax messages to investigation and prosecution. And you can retrieve everything from the computer!"

He also praised Kwun Tong's efficiency savings measures, which, he observed, could relieve more manpower for frontline duties.

Kwun Tong's compact and well-defined structure, intelligence gathering, and system of handling court exhibits and lost property have also impressed Mr Lu. After seeing an EU team and a PTU Platoon of the Kowloon East Region at work, he was full of praise for their professional training.

Mr Zhong (right) and Mr Lu (second left) with DC KTDIST Law Ping-kuen and TSRO KTDIST Lam Chi-chung