Commenting on the Exchange Programme, Director of Crime and Security Lee Ka-chiu said: "The spirit of the agreement is for the two police forces to pursue global best practices in law enforcement through the exchange of superintendent-rank crime officers and to demonstrate a commitment to investing in the personal development of our staff. Through active participation in management and operational activities, the exchange officers will be able to share experiences with their hosts and also identify good practices applicable to their own organisations."

During her attachment in Australia, SP Ho visited AFP's facilities in Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and gained exposure to a wide-range of operational and management situations. Her programme covered five study areas - international deployment, international liaison network, intelligence, operations against economic crime and inter-agency co-operation.

Recollecting her time in Australia, SP Ho said: "The experiences I have gained and things I have seen during my programme with the AFP have been phenomenal. Clearly the opportunity to experience and compare first-hand the policies, management structures and decision-making processes being adopted will definitely be of benefit to both myself and our organisation in the future."

SP Ho met with various senior officials in her rigorous and comprehensive programme that enabled both sides to explore each other's policing services and to promote international networking. "During my stay in Australia, I was deeply impressed with the open culture and kindness of the Australians I had met, and the friendship and excellent networking that had developed will surely last a lifetime. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been the first Hong Kong officer selected for the Exchange Programme," she said.

Attachment to Force

"I have had hands on involvement in management and operational activities and seen how the police in Hong Kong operate on a daily basis through participation at meetings, discussions, presentations and observing senior management meetings. However, the highlight of my attachment was without doubt a once in a lifetime experience to view the resolution phase of a two-year undercover operation against triads.

"There has been so much hard work put into my programme to ensure I benefit from this experience and it is very difficult in a few sentences to relate how much I really appreciate the efforts that have been made for me," she said.

The significance of the Exchange Programme to the development of the Force and the partnership with the AFP in striving for professional excellence were vividly demonstrated by the various meetings SP Thomas had with the senior management to discuss the programme.

Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Yam Tat-wing has stressed: "The AFP is one of HKP's most important strategic partners in the region in the fight against transnational crime and we share similar values and aspirations in elevating our professional standards. Through sharing of knowledge and experience between our two organisations, mutual understanding and trust will continue to grow and co-operation will be further strengthened in tackling the global policing challenges facing us."

Before concluding her attachment programme, SP Thomas had met Commissioner Tang King-shing. Commenting on the value of the Exchange Programme, CP said: "It is increasingly important for law-enforcement agencies to forge partnerships and share information and practices to tackle the threat of transnational crime and terrorism in the modern era. As part of our outreaching strategy, we will continue to develop operational and training co-operation agreements with overseas law enforcement agencies. Through this process our operational and intelligence capabilities will be enhanced, and our commitment to global security and ensuring Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world will be further demonstrated."

Prior to her departure from Hong Kong, SP Thomas said: "Apart from the experience of working in this highly regarded organisation, I have had the opportunity to stay in a great city, visit the Mainland and of course do a lot of shopping! I would like to say a heartfelt 'thank you' to my friends and colleagues in the Force for what has truly been an amazing experience."

Superintendent Thomas visits the Marine Region

Superintendent Ho with Mr Robert Atkinson, Commissioner of Queensland Police Service

Superintendent Thomas presents a souvenir to Mr Lee