The lecturer, Mr Mann Ka-fai, said the challenge mainly comes from adopting a university teaching model for the two subjects. The main features of the model are mass lecturing and tutorial classes, which encourage interactions with and discussions amongst Recruit Police Constables (RPCs).

In partnership with the OUHK, the Police College has designed and incorporated two new modules, namely Psychology in Policing and Social Studies in Policing, into the revised RPC Foundation Training Course, which was rolled out in January this year, while the two partnership modules commenced in February. Since then, Mr Mann has been giving lectures for the Psychology in Policing Module, while his fellow lecturer, Mr Chan Wing-lun, has been teaching the Social Studies in Policing Module. So far they have given lectures to over 500 RPCs comprising three intakes.

Both lecturers regard that most RPCs are enthusiastic, and participate readily in the modules, and their academic performances in the modules are satisfactory.

Mr Mann said recruits' performances were assessed in two assignments, two tests and a final examination for each module, and over 10 per cent of them have attained A grade, and over 60 per cent B grades in both modules, with D grade being the pass grade.

Mr Chan pointed out that the design of his module is "multi-dimensional", and that the contents expose RPCs to knowledge of many social issues, including cultures, police power and community policing, etc. In line with university teaching model, debate, role-play and discussion have also been incorporated into the module.

Speaking of role-play during tutorial classes, Mr Chan said he was particularly impressed by RPCs' response to a role-play session related to the minority groups in society, such as street sleepers, new immigrants, single parents and discharged prisoners.

"In playing the roles of different minority groups, the trainees came to understand better about the needs and problems of such groups. Therefore when they work on the frontline, they would be more sensitive to minority groups' needs and better equipped to offer assistance with compassion.

"Both modules are introductory courses, and hopefully they would inspire trainees to pursue further studies in the interests of their policing work," he added.

Equal emphasis on theory and practice

Three Course Instructors, SSGTs Mo Yue-shing, and Wong Fai-fan and WSSGT Lam Dung-ling, have talked to OffBeat about their observations of the new syllabus.

SSGT Mo pointed out that introduction of the modules had necessitated the adoption of a new teaching approach. He explained: "Now we want recruits to take more initiative in learning. Besides knowing how to do a job, they've to know why they've to do it, so that they would think how they can do better to meet the needs of society and the Force."

SSGT Wong pointed out that as a result of the new teaching approach, Course Instructors had devoted more time and effort to preparing the classes, and to making research for scenario-based and problem-based training.

SSGT Wong went on to say that tutorial classes, conducted by tutors from the OUHK and Course Instructors from the Police College, form an important component of the two modules. The Course Instructors played an important role by sharing their work experiences with trainees. "So trainees have obtained not only knowledge from books, but also valuable and practical experiences! This will augur well for their jobs in future," he added.

WSSGT Lam believed that once recruits know the rationale of a job, they would be able to provide better services to the public.

Taking Psychology in Policing module as example, WSSGT Lam said that once recruits know the psychology of victims, they would be more sensitive to a victim's needs and feelings, and this would help their subsequent investigations. Furthermore, the two modules presented many real cases for practical training through group discussions, debates, presentations and role-play.

"In the classroom, they were very enthusiastic about discussion, and after class had done a lot of research for the assignments given by the lecturers. This particular aspect has broadened trainees' mindsets and horizons," the three Instructors added.

New syllabus well received

Six RPCs from the January 2006 intake talked to OffBeat before passing out from the Police College on July 8.

After 27 weeks of training they told OffBeat that they were all ready to face the challenges ahead.

Speaking of the two new modules, RPC Yeung Suet-fung said the Psychology in Policing module provided trainees with useful skills and proper attitudes in handling victims, in particular with regard to their feelings, traumas and special needs.

RPC Yeung Ying-ho said the modules, besides being useful for his work in future, had provided recruits with a "clear direction" for further studies in the same subjects.

RPC Chung Cheuk-yiu found that the subjects covered by the modules are related, with the Psychology in Policing Module providing practical skills of handling victims, while the Social Studies in Policing Module touched on the concept of policing. "Together with the other practical training provided by the Police College, such as those on law and skills of handling cases, these three training components are inter-related and offer a big help for our jobs," he added.

Speaking of the teaching approach, RPC Yip Ling-fai pointed out that with recruits discussing and expressing their views on various issues on their own initiative, the tutorial class was thought provoking.

To RPC Ma Tik-hang, the modules, being designed jointly by the Police College and OUHK with emphasis on theories and practices, had presented some difficulties in learning for recruits with lower academic qualifications. Fortunately with the flexible training approaches, plus recruits' own efforts and sharing of knowledge in the classroom, the difficulties were eventually overcome.

RPC Yip Wing-yiu agreed that the practical scenario-based and problem-based learning had helped trainees absorb skills and knowledge more effectively.

OUHK lecturers, Mr Mann (right) and Mr Chan, have praised RPCs' performances in the two new modules

RPCs show high regard for their new foundation training course