The Force is constantly providing more learning and developing opportunities for Junior Police Officers (JPOs). Under the Overseas Studies Visit Programme launched in late 2006, JPOs have gained exposure to overseas law enforcement agencies for their professional enhancement and career development.

Earlier this year, a total of three delegations, each consisting of a Chief Inspector, two Senior Inspectors and eight JPOs at the ranks of Police Constable and Sergeant, concluded five-day thematic visits to the Northumbria Police in the UK, the Netherlands Police and Ottawa Police Service in Canada.

The first delegation kicked off the programme for 2009 when it left for Northumbria. The Northumbria Police programme included discussion on local policing matters, use of HOLMES 2 (similar to MIIDSS in Hong Kong for criminal investigation), divisional intelligence gathering, use of TASERs/stun guns, as well as visit to the Sunderland Area Command. The officers were particularly impressed with the re-employment of retired police officers on contract terms to man the HOLMES 2, fully utilising the retirees' experience.

The Netherlands Police arranged for the second Force delegation a packed programme with presentations, discussion forums, training courses in the School for Police Leadership, and visits to police formations and an integrated emergency centre manned by the Police, Fire, and Ambulance services. The officers also took a close look at the Utrecht town, which has a problem of cannabis transactions. Woman Detective Police Constable Elaine Chan Yee-ling said after the visit: "I had a good understanding of the drugs situation in the Netherlands and the difficulties encountered by the law enforcement agencies there."

The third delegation headed for Ottawa, Canada, on a study visit with the themes of "Handling of Domestic Violence" and "Diversity and Race Relations". What the JPOs observed and studied in the Ottawa Police Service was an eye-opener, as well as stimulating for them. They toured different units and formations, including the Ottawa Police Headquarters, Partner Assault Unit (a task force specialised in dealing with all domestic violence cases), Judicial Authority, Partner Assault Law Court, Ottawa Professional and Development Centre and various local and ethnic minority community and facilities. One of the highlights of the trip was the invitation by the hosts to two JPOs to unfold a flag in the Islamic History Month ceremony at the Ottawa Police Headquarters.

Members of the three delegations, in particular the JPOs, have studied and shared with their overseas counterparts the best practices of their hosts, and drawn parallels with their own jobs with a view to further enhancing the professionalism of the Force.

Attending the Canadian and Peace Officers Annual Memorial

Visit to the Sunderland Football Club