The Western Australia Police have approximately 5,000 police officers serving nearly two million people. There are a total of 162 police stations in 14 districts under three Regions in Western Australia. According to statistics, the major crimes in Western Australia are theft, criminal damage and burglary. Like Hong Kong, the Western Australia Police also have a fair share of juvenile crime.

What the six JPOs have studied and observed in Western Australia have broadened their perspectives and enriched their experiences of police work. Put up at the famous Western Australia Police Academy, the delegation members had a hectic programme, visiting various police formations, attending classroom lectures and discussions, as well as sharing experiences with their Western Australian counterparts.

"Mutual learning" was a major feature of the study visit, with emphasis on studying the similarities and differences between the Force and the Western Australia Police. To enhance the delegation members' abilities to carry out research and analysis, the training programme required them to accomplish projects comparing the two police forces. For the projects, four thematic topics in relation to the Force's daily duties were chosen, namely "use of force", "dealing with emergency", "collaboration with community and school" and "handling of prisoners and property".

All in all, the delegation members had their ability to face up to future challenges further developed, as a result of the preparation they made before their visit and the review they made afterwards. They also had their language proficiency and self-confidence improved through close and direct contacts with their Western Australian counterparts.

The delegation members also attended duty attachments to observe frontline policing, getting a valuable opportunity to witness how the Australian police actually went about their day-to-day work.

One aspect that struck the delegation members was the fact that the Western Australia Police and the whole community accepted CCTV as a tool for preventing crime. Hence, CCTV is commonly seen in residential and commercial buildings and public areas. They learned that a burglary suspect was apprehended soon after the crime victim had made a positive identification from the CCTV tape.

The team members also visited the Western Australia Police's Operational Control, Forensics Department and Water Police as part of their comparative study projects, learning their hosts' good practices and work procedures, in particular occupational safety and health.

On the last day of their visit, the delegation had the honour of being invited to attend the graduation ceremony of police recruits.

On reflection upon return from their trip, the JPOs observed that the Force and the Western Australia Police, despite their differences, have one thing in common - being motivated by the principle of professionalism and endeavouring to provide quality services to the public.