The Foundation Training Centre (FTC), which evolves from the well-known former Police Training School (PTS), will have under its command six functional divisions, namely, the Recruit Training Division, Detective Training Division, Weapons Training Division, Police Driving and Traffic Training Division, Support Division and the Police Band. The Centre is mainly responsible for providing a wide range of foundation training for recruits and in-service personnel and overseeing the operation of the Police Band.

Re-positioning & pooling resources

Deputy Director of Police College, Chief Superintendent Clarence To said: "The first priority of the Police College is to improve the standard of training on an incremental basis. As a first step, we will enhance partnership with university with a view to enhancing the quality of trainees in different aspects."

Mr To stress: "However, in the overall planning of the College, vocational training will continue to be the mainstream curriculum for all recruits."

On the training provided by PTS, Head of FTC, Senior Superintendent Shirley Chu Ming-po said: "It has long been the impression to many that all police training programmes are provided by PTS. In fact, PTS is only one of the training service providers within the Force. In the planning of the new Police College, we have re-positioned PTS, which will perform specific functions along with the other four centres. All foundation training will be put under the new FTC, including foundation training for recruit police constables and probationary inspectors, as well as investigation, weapons, driving and traffic training for in-service officers. Apart from the Aberdeen site, training facilities can also be found in many different locations across the Territory, such as driving and traffic training in Fanling and weapons training in different ranges."

Reviewing courses for recruits

Foundation Training Centre aims at equipping officers with the knowledge and skills required for effective policing and a good foundation for continuous studies. It assists officers in performing other duties as and when required and enhancing personal development in order to help them keep pace with the progress of society. Moreover, the training also intends to help recruits conform to the values, professional conduct and integrity of the Force so as to improve the quality of our service.

SSP Chu pointed out : "To tie in with the re-organisation, FTC will refine upon all the existing training programmes to keep pace with the latest developments. Courses will be designed with the competency-based approach to meet up-to-date training needs. Modern modes of teaching, such as problem-based and scenario-based learning, will be adopted to help trainees apply in their future daily policing the knowledge and skills delivered in the training. Moreover, state-of-the-art facilities, such as Tactical Training Complex, mock courts and computer suites, will be used in training to conform with modern teaching modes, facilitate effective learning and enhance officers' responding capabilities when confronted with a real situation."

"We have just completed revamping our RPC Foundation Training Course and will form a collaborative partnership with the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) for delivering two of the 15 modules of the course, i.e. Policing Psychology and Social Studies, covering topics on criminal psychology, stress management, conflict management, community policing, policing and ethics, psychological applications, empathetic listening and interpersonal skills etc.," she added.

SSP Chu emphasised that the main objective of the review was to enhance frontline officers' skills, knowledge, attitude and abilities in law enforcement. The partnership with OUHK, incorporating academic input on policing theories, aims at not only equipping trainees with the "know-how" to deal with police routine, but also enhancing their understanding of the rationale of policing. Upon completion of training, the officers will be better prepared for more effective policing and the challenges arising from a changing social context.

More importantly, the RPC Foundation Training has been accredited by OUHK. Upon graduation, trainees will be awarded a Certificate in Law Enforcement and Security Management, holders of which can pursue higher academic qualifications such as diploma, higher diploma or degree offered by OUHK.

SSP Chu added: "The arrangement will not only enhance the professional standard and academic status of the RPC Training Course, but also provide trainees with pathways to further studies, the provision of which is one of the major tasks of the Police College."

Improving training facilities

On improvement to training facilities, SSP Chu said training facilities of FTC would be continuously improved so as to cater for the new teaching approach and to foster a better learning atmosphere. "For example, we shall enhance the IT infrastructure at the Aberdeen site to facilitate e-learning. Furthermore, existing training facilities, such as the Tactical Training Complex and mock courts, etc., will play a more important role under the new teaching approach," she noted.

Enhancing training standards

Regarding FTC's future development, SSP Chu disclosed that the Centre was reviewing the foundation training course for probationary inspectors to look for further refinement with a view to enhancing officers' performance.

"Foundation training is an important part in overall police training. It aims at equipping officers with a good foundation in police knowledge and skills to deal with the challenging police duties and pursue continuous learning. FTC will review all existing courses on a regular basis to accommodate the latest training needs. Moreover, it will co-operate with other centres of the Police College with a view to introducing new measures to enhance training standards," she concluded.

Head of Foundation Training Centre, SSP Shirley Chu