Kwai Chung Division (KWCDIV) has implemented a community-policing and problem solving scheme known as COMPAX in a bid to establish a more peaceful and harmonious community. This summer vacation, the scheme provided two members of the Police Mentorship Programme with an insight into how the Division identified problems and carried out public relations strategies under the scheme.

The police mentees - Lui Chi-man from the Department of Psychology of the Hong Kong University and Fu Chun-yi from the Department of Business Administration of the City University - also observed how officers reached out to community not only at major events but also on a day-to-day basis.

In line with tradition, the community associations in Kwai Chung organised Yu Lan Festival activities at some housing estates in KWCDIV during the summer vacation. When "Fortune Rice"' was distributed to the public on August 21, the mentees headed for the Tai Wo Hau Estate to see how Divisional Commander Bruce Hawkins led a team of officers from the Task Force Sub-unit, Patrol Sub-unit, Police Community Relations Office and Road Safety Unit to implement crowd management measures and community support initiatives. They also took the opportunity to disseminate crime prevention and road safety messages to the public, especially senior citizens.

Through the introduction given by Mr Hawkins as well as their on-the-spot observation of police operations, the mentees appreciated far better the important roles community policing plays in maintaining order and social harmony.

After gaining valuable experience by observing the operations, Chi-man commented: "I think I'm more confident in using what I've learned from university to contribute some small input to planning a public relations strategy for community policing."

And Chun-yi was glad to have played a role in the Division's public relations strategies during police operations.

What the Division had done during the rice distribution not only enabled officers to reach out to their target groups, but also provided the mentees with valuable experience beneficial to their personal development.

Mr Hawkins commented that the two students managed to provide a unique insight into their perspectives of community needs and this had allowed them to refocus some of their COMPAX targets. All in all both the students, the Force and the community at large have benefited.

Anti-deception messages reach out to many senior citizens