Environmental Report

      One of the Hong Kong Police Force's highest priorities is to enhance the environmental awareness of all Force members through education and publicity, and to encourage their participation in conserving the environment. We work with relevant organisations to incorporate environmental management into the Force, develop and maintain a management system to improve the environmental quality of our activities, and comply with relevant legislation and codes of practice.

Commitment and Management

      During 2002, we continued to enhance the environmental awareness of all Force members. The Force was committed to conserving the environment through efficient use of resources and energy, and the reduction of waste. At the Headquarters level, a Steering Committee on Green Management was chaired by the Director of Finance, Administration and Planning and comprised senior civilian and disciplined representatives from various Formations. The Steering Committee closely monitored the consumption of paper, envelope, electricity, petrol/diesel and gas.

Achievements

      The Department continuously explored new ideas for cost-effective ways to minimise paper use under the Information Systems Strategy Plan. In addition, the widespread conversion of bulky manuals to e-database saved millions of sheets of paper for recycling. E-filing was developed and tested in some registries as a pilot scheme, and a range of Force-wide recycling programmes was implemented.

      Officers in Training Wing adopted several new initiatives including using air filters at all indoor ranges to reduce the emission of hazardous particles. The Organised Crime and Triad Bureau of the Crime Wing launched a programme to replace all ceiling lights in corridors and cellular offices to save energy. The Transport Division of the Support Wing implemented a number of green measures in relation to the Police Fleet. Marine Region issued directives to launch commanders instructing them to switch off 'one main engine' at their respective patrol areas if operational factors allowed.

      The Planning and Development Branch introduced green measures to Police buildings, including installing air-handling units with appropriate shutters and timer switches. In addition, the new Police Headquarters was designed with modern, user-friendly building concepts by adopting transparent, sustainable and energy efficient materials.

      Wong Tai Sin District was the winner of the Gold Award in the Green Office category of the Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards for the second consecutive year in 2002. This helped to energise green management efforts at all levels and encouraged other departments to improve the environment.

The Future

      For the future, the Force will continue to explore cost-effective ways to achieve energy saving, for example by actively pursuing the use of LPG powered vehicles and environmentally friendly vehicles. Arrangement was made with the Environmental Protection Department for organising environmental seminars at police premises in 2003.