Knowledge Cafe looks into POE policing
At the 12th and 13th Knowledge Cafe Sessions, organised under the Knowledge Management Peer Advisers Scheme and with the assistance of the Research Centre of Police College, a total of 140 officers studied how to effectively police public order events (POEs).
At the 12th session, four experienced frontline officers shared their experiences of handling large-scale POEs in terms of media relations, policing procedures and law enforcement.
Sergeant Lo Leung-hong spoke of how he processed notifications of POEs when he worked at the Licensing Office, while Senior Inspector (SIP) Leung Chi-kin, officer-in-charge of the POE Support Team, introduced the work of his team. SIP Leung pointed out that the experience gained from policing the Anti-Express Railway Procession on January 15 could serve as a good reference for handling POEs in future.
Acting Assistant District Commander Central San Tsz-kin told the audience that good operational preparation was the key to successfully police POEs. In working out an operational plan, it was essential to know the roles of other units and government departments, and to draw on international experience, he said.
The fourth speaker, Chief Inspector (CIP) Choi Tung-tsoi, one of the Police Community Relations Officers responsible for handling POEs on the Hong Kong Island, spoke of the matters officers have to take note while dealing with POE organisers.
At the 13th Knowledge Cafe Session, CIP Lam Hung-chuen of Emergency Unit Kowloon West and Detective Senior Inspector Chan Chung-kuen spoke of dealing with demonstrators and media representatives, as well as investigating POE-related offences.
According to CIP Lam, the role of the Police was to maintain law and order while helping demonstrators to exercise their rights. Realising the mentality and needs of demonstrators and media representatives, working in collaboration with other units or departments and co-operating with the media were essential for policing POEs.
Noting the post-80s generation's participation in POEs, DSIP Chan said changes should be made to policing strategies and practices. He added that careful and comprehensive planning and detailed briefing for officers would go a long way towards successfully policing POEs.
Knowledge Management Champion, Superintendent Eric Cheng, is delighted that the two sharing sessions were well received by the audiences, who, he said, found the speakers' presentations very useful for a very important policing task.
Knowledge
Management
Champion,
Superintendent Eric Cheng, is pleased with
officers' great interest in POE policing