With the 2009 East Asian Games (EAG) less than two weeks away, the Force's preparation to ensure the EAG events be held smoothly in a safe and secure environment has reached the final stage.

Upon conclusion of the forum, Mr Koo stressed that the security arrangements to be implemented were essential in ensuring a safe EAG, and cited the success of the EAG Torch Relay in August as an example of the professionalism and ability of the Force. He expressed confidence that the policing operation for the EAG would be equally successful.

Whilst chairing the 5th meeting of the East Asian Games Force Steering Committee on October 27, Mr Koo took the opportunity to thank all members for not only their valuable contributions to the planning of the EAG throughout, but also their reassurance and commitment of achieving success for policing the first large-scale international multi-sports event in Hong Kong.

To keep themselves updated on the progress of preparation, Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Yam Tat-wing and Deputy Commissioner (Management) Tsang Wai-hung visited certain EAG competition venues on November 3 and received briefing on the policing strategy by the District Commanders concerned. Both Deputy Commissioners appreciated the Districts' good planning, and urged all to maintain a high degree of vigilance and to ensure preparation for the policing operation remains at the highest standard.

To enhance the operation readiness of the Force, a series of exercises have been conducted. For example, an inter-departmental exercise involving a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incident was conducted at the Shek Kip Mei Park Sports Centre, the competition venue for Judo and Taekwondo, on October 27 to test operational readiness, responsiveness and inter-departmental co-ordination to a CBRN incident. In addition to the Force, the Standing CBRN Planning Group, Fire Services Department, Hospital Authority, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and East Asian Games, (Hong Kong) Limited also participated in the exercise.

Furthermore, Kowloon East Regional Headquarters conducted another exercise at the Tseung Kwan O Sports Ground, the venue for athletics competition, on October 30 to test the response to a security incident at the venue. On the evening of November 13, a bomb incident exercise was held at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC), venue for the EAG Opening Ceremony, with various operational units participating. One of the Police units taking part in this exercise was the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, which played the roles of searching for and defusing suspicious devices at the HKCC.

Apart from participating in various exercises, representatives from different Districts have also observed various EAG test events at competition venues in order to identify potential problems at the venues and share experience for forward planning.

With officers' detailed planning and dedication, as well as the teamwork displayed at the preparation stage, the Force is well geared up for challenge and will make the EAG policing operation another success.

The CBRN exercise at the Shek Kip Mei Park Sports Centre