CPSI Training underscores multi-disciplinary collaboration
In line with the multi-agency and cross-sectoral approach for handling child abuse incidents, the Child Protection Policy Unit (CPPU) of Crime Support Group and the Staff Development & Training Section of Social Welfare Department (SWD) have been jointly organising the Basic Training Programme on Child Protection Special Investigation (CPSI) since 1995.
The CPSI training aims at equipping police officers, social workers and clinical psychologists of SWD with the knowledge and skills required for handling cases and conducting Video Recorded Interview (VRI) involving vulnerable witnesses.
The 33rd Basic Training Programme on CPSI came to a successful conclusion on June 24 when 27 participants were awarded Certificates of Attendance upon completion of the intensive training. The officers are now qualified to conduct VRI with vulnerable witnesses for forensic purposes.
The curriculum of the training programme consists of both theoretical and practical aspects, including multi-disciplinary collaboration, legal framework, sexual offences involving child victims, child development and psychology, psychology of sexual offender and skills of interviewing vulnerable witnesses.
The CPSI Training Team conducts two Basic Training Courses every year for selected officers, half of them coming from police and the rest from the social welfare sector. When interviewing children, CPSI trained officers are in fact performing the role of a prosecutor in guiding the witness in describing the crime. This role demands exceptional interviewing skills and expertise on children's testimony.
To support frontline officers in handling child abuse cases by improving VRI facilities for vulnerable witnesses, the analogue video recording system is to be replaced by digital video recorders. Trainees of the 33rd course on CPSI were the first batch of officers who had practised the digitised VRI system. Operations of the digitised system in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon East and Kowloon West Regions commenced in May and June this year, whilst those in New Territories South and New Territories North in July.
After completing the training, one of the trainees, Detective Sergeant Lam Hon-ki, said he had gained a better understanding of a victim's feelings and the importance of multi-disciplinary collaboration. Another trainee, Ms Lai Po-yee, a Social Welfare Officer from SWD, pointed out: "After attending the training course, I have a better idea of the work of the police in child protection. Everybody will be able to work closer in preventing and investigating child abuse cases, and to further enhance their professionalism."
The course underscores the importance the two departments attach to training on child protection and to the spirit of multi-disciplinary collaboration.
The
training
course underscores the collaboration in child protection
between the Force and SWD