When different police units and other government departments carry out a joint operation, the keys to success are good co-ordination, communication and rapport, said Chief Inspector Li Hong-man, a long-time member of the Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC).

Equally important is that each player in the operation knows exactly what his or her role is and discharges the role with teamwork, he added.

In the past, PNC members were called out to assist in handling many crisis situations. CIP Li described establishing a dialogue with the "subject" as one of their most important tasks.

"The first thing PNC members do on arrival at a scene is to try and establish a dialogue with the 'subject' using important skills such as 'active listening'. They also do everything possible to make sure that communications do not break down," he noted.

Dialogue can hardly be established if there is no trust between the parties involved. CIP Li pointed out that in a bid to gain the "subject's" trust, PNC members go to great lengths to demonstrate that they care about the "subject's" safety and well-being. "They also work in such a way that the 'subjects' would realise they are out of harm's way, and that what they say does not fall on deaf ears," he noted.

Speaking of communicating with the "subjects", CIP Li's fellow PNC member, Woman Chief Inspector Mui Sin-kwan, Eppie, said perseverance, patience and restraint are important recipes, besides showing care and concern. "It's essential to gain a 'subject's' acceptance. In other words, you've to make him or her realise that you're there to help and are sincere in everything you do, and accept your advice. Once a 'subject' starts to accept the things you've said, then you're on the right track," WCIP Mui noted.

WCIP Mui shared CIP Li's observation on the importance of Communication and co-ordination and rapport among the key players of a joint operation. She pointed out that she personally gained such experience when she participated in a recent joint operation with CIP Li and another PNC member, Inspector Wong Ho-hon, Wilfred.

Acting as a "go-between" during the operation, she found the key players had very good communication and co-ordination.

First operation for FAC

Ten members of the Force Abseiling Cadre (FAC) also took part in the joint operation referred to by WCIP Mui. The operation is the first of its kind the FAC has ever participated in since it was established in early 2005 to meet the operational needs for policing the Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, also known as MC6.

The leader of the 10-member FAC team, Senior Inspector Wong Wai-shun, said his team members received a great deal of support from the units also working in the joint operation.

"During the operation, my members applied the quality training they acquired. They have put a lot of efforts into their secondary duty training. After the operation, I appreciate what they have sacrificed, and their sense of camaraderie. At the same time, I think it's worthwhile to have devoted resources to upgrading their capabilities to an international level. After the operation, I realise that police officers working at height face considerable potential danger," said SIP Wong.

One of SIP Wong's team members, Woman Police Constable Luk Wing-han, learned that the FAC would be called out for the joint operation while she was receiving advance training for her secondary duty at the PTU Headquarters.

"I was very excited on learning the news. The operation was what I've been waiting for after receiving so much demanding training. It's a good chance to put our training to the test.

"We tried our best to get our job done for the sake of the image of the Force, and exercised great restraint and patience," said WPC Luk.

Advanced training

The FAC has become a permanent unit in the PTU. In the past few weeks, FAC members have received advanced training by two experts from the UK at the PTU Headquarters.

SIP Wong said the training was aimed at upgrading FAC members' skills to an international level.

"So far, 16 members have attended a two-week training course for an operative. Nine other members are receiving training designed to train up a trainer," he said.

SIP Wong (front centre) with his FAC members

CIP Li (right), WCIP Mui and IP Wong share the challenging aspects of their joint operation

FAC members receive advanced training