The Police College has published a brief report on "Policing in Hong Kong", which is the result of a study of the Force's policing concepts, practices and strategies. As the architect of the study, Deputy Commissioner Fung Siu-yuen, has recommended the report to Force members, OffBeat starts publishing the report content from this issue.

Foreword

From a small fishing village to the present day financial centre, Hong Kong has changed immensely over the last century and a half. From a former British colony to one of China's busiest Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong has benefited from interactions between the East and the West.

The Force, too, has evolved into a modernised professional police organisation of today.

This report is prepared from documentary review and interviews with key informants and covers a brief account of how the Force has become what it is today and how we currently practise policing in Hong Kong. The objective is to promote a better understanding of our present policing concepts, practices and strategies among our officers.

The present effort of chronicling the developments and current practices of the Force will serve to remind us of our strengths and limitations, which are the basis upon which we build our future competence as the Force moves forward with the rapidly evolving social environment.

A full report containing a more detailed description of our policing will be uploaded onto the Force Knowledge Management System on POINT to be shared with colleagues.

Policing in Hong Kong at the Turn of the Century

When Pottinger became the first governor of Hong Kong in 1843, little could he have foreseen that this 'barren rock' would have evolved from a fishing village into one of the world's busiest international financial centres today. Nor would Captain William Caine, the first Chief Magistrate appointed to form the police force, have predicted that the Force would become today's community focussed, service-oriented police organisation.

In the past, the Force was mainly engaged in its law enforcement and service role; it is, however, necessary in this fast evolving world for it to document its developments and record for future reference current policing policies and strategies. The objective of this paper is to capture and describe policing strategies and practices of the Force at the turn of the century.

Indeed, the world has changed considerably since Pottinger's time. The contemporary world of technology and modern communications have brought the international community closer together and criminal enterprises to internationalise its illegal activities while taking advantage of border and jurisdictional differences.

In this environment, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to speak about a policing model that presupposes stability and a structured framework that withstands time. The Force constantly adapts, realigns and redesigns its policies, approach and even organisation structure to meet all sorts of challenges. What has not changed over the years, however, is its community and service focus.

Further Reading (Available in the Force Library)

* Ho Pui Yin (2004) "Maintenance of Order" in The Administrative History of the Hong Kong Government Agencies 1841-2002. University of Hong Kong Press, pp. 70-77.

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