[Vision, Common Purpose & Values] [Foreword] [Operations] [Regional Commanders' Report]
[Personnel and Training] [Management Services] [Finance, Administration and Planning]
[Environmental Report] [Organisation] [Annexes, Crime Charts & Appendices] [Information]
Operations
Enhancing Police Services to the Community
The overall crime situation in 2007 remained stable, with a slight decrease of 0.4 per cent or 329 cases in crime figures. Robbery and burglary, which respectively dropped by 22.7 per cent and 15.1 per cent as compared to 2006, were the major categories that contributed to the drop in overall crime. This represents a decrease in the overall crime rate (measured at number of crimes per 100 000 population) of 1.3 per cent to 1 167 cases. The overall detection rate rose by one percentage point to 45.6 per cent, compared to 44.6 per cent for 2006.
In general, there has been a downward trend in a number of key crime areas for the past 10 years, and in 2007, record low figures were registered in the areas of crime involving genuine firearms, robbery, burglary, homicide, missing motor vehicle and triad-related crime.
Organised Crime and Triads
Throughout 2007, a number of intelligence-led proactive operations to combat triads and criminals involved in human smuggling, theft of vehicles, syndicated prostitution and illegal bookmaking activities were mounted by the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau. A large-scale tripartite operation with Guangdong and Macao Police took place in June, resulting in the arrest of 1 588 persons and the neutralisation of a number of triad-controlled syndicates.
Locally, the Bureau smashed nine syndicates involved in vehicle thefts. Four anti-illegal bookmaking raids were conducted with 38 persons arrested and betting slips valued $2 million seized.
Efforts to Improve Again Validated
'We serve, we care' remained our main theme in delivering Police service to society. The Force's dedication to continuous improvement was once again validated in 2007.
A very high level of satisfaction towards Police performance was reflected in the findings of an independent survey, Crime and Its Victims in Hong Kong in 2005, conducted by the Census and Statistics Department under the auspices of the Fight Crime Committee in 2006. The findings were released in October 2007. Amongst those respondents who reported victimisations to Police, 89 per cent considered the manner of Police staff dealing with them as 'good or very good', while 85 per cent rated the quality of Police service as 'good or very good'.
Such a high satisfaction rate towards Police performance is consistent with the findings achieved in other surveys, such as the Public Opinion Poll (POP) conducted by the University of Hong Kong on a quarterly basis – with a satisfaction rate of 83 per cent towards the Police performance being scored in the survey conducted in June 2007. This represented a record high rating since the POP began in July 1997.
Criminal Intelligence
The Criminal Intelligence Bureau continued to play a key role in promoting intelligence-led policing within the Force to combat triad and organised crime activities. To meet the challenges posed by transnational criminal activities, the Bureau shared experience and exchanged intelligence with its Mainland and overseas counterparts. In 2007, apart from actively participating in the Asia Region Heads of Criminal Intelligence Working Group, the Bureau organised a triad course for 25 overseas law enforcement officers from 16 different agencies around the world as well as intelligence training courses for the China Criminal Police University.
Commercial Crime
The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) continued to adopt a structured intelligence-based approach to all investigations into syndicated and serious frauds, counterfeit and forgery cases, as well as technology crime.
As an important pillar enhancing corporate governance standards in Hong Kong and maintaining the confidence of global as well as local investors, CCB spares no effort in investigating unscrupulous company directors. In 2007, former chairman and several directors of a listed company were convicted of a 'conspiracy to defraud' case involving $100 million and they received heavy imprisonment terms. In August, with the assistance of the Securities and Futures Commission, the director of a licensed brokerage house was convicted of and sentenced to imprisonment for 'dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence' involving $53.5 million.
Offences perpetrated by street deception gangs especially 'spiritual blessing' deception was an area of focus throughout the year. CCB mounted several successful intelligence-led operations resulting in the neutralisation of four 'spiritual blessing' syndicates with 24 arrestees charged to court.
In March, CCB proactively counteracted the sudden upsurge of the newly detected counterfeit $1,000 banknotes of the Hong Kong Bank 2000 and 2002 series by stepping up intelligence exchange with overseas Police counterparts, and undertaking a series of intelligence-led operations. Members of the public were kept abreast of the developments through a series of press conferences by CCB and the holding of seminars for bank staff and retailers on the authentication of genuine banknotes. Circulation of the new variation of counterfeit $1,000 banknotes was contained in the territory within a short time.
The Force continues to excel in combating technology crime and takes a leading role in the international arena. The Senior Superintendent of Technology Crime is the Chairperson of INTERPOL Asia-South Pacific Working Party on Information Technology Crime, which steers a network of law enforcement agencies in the Region to ensure that there is no safe haven for cyber criminals. Through the Hong Kong Police College, Technology Crime Division offers different specialised technology crime training courses to meet the training needs of different investigation units of the Force. During the year, 18 officers from overseas law enforcement agencies attended these courses, which have earned the Force a strong international reputation.
Narcotics
Throughout the year, the Police made every effort to reduce drug abuse through publicity and education as well as making numerous seizures of wholesale consignments of drugs, thereby substantially reducing the amount in circulation. Of note was the detection of several large-scale cannabis cultivation cases. The number of persons arrested for drug-related offences, in particular young persons, increased as compared to the preceding year.
Narcotics Bureau's joint efforts with Mainland and overseas counterparts to interdict cross-boundary and international trafficking led to numerous arrests and seizures of large drug consignments before they reached their intended markets.
Financial Investigation
During the year, the Force participated in a number of local and international initiatives to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. In addition to providing training in financial investigations for local and overseas law enforcement officers, the Force held seminars with participants from various professions to raise awareness of money laundering and terrorist financing.
In November, the Financial Investigation Division of Narcotics Bureau assisted in coordinating the on-site phase of the mutual evaluation of Hong Kong's anti-money laundering regime by the inter-governmental policy making body, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF).
Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention Bureau continued to build on its previous efforts to raise crime prevention awareness. Publicity campaigns focused on deceptions and miscellaneous thefts. In particular, telephone deception was the subject of a high profile publicity campaign in mid-2007. Likewise, Mainland visitors were advised on how to protect themselves against petty criminals through publicity efforts at boundary control points. At the same time, the always popular 'Robotcop' visits continued at schools with a total of 617 shows since 2004 attended by 117 281 students.
Liaison
The Liaison Bureau joined forces with the Mainland and Macao to combat cross-boundary crimes and further cemented ties through the 13th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Tripartite CID Heads Meeting held in April. In December, the 16th Bilateral Meeting since Reunification between Hong Kong Police and Mainland Public Security Authorities was held in Hong Kong to further enhance cooperation.
During the year, the Force continued to send officers to the INTERPOL General Secretariat in Lyon, France and to the Regional Liaison Office in Bangkok, Thailand on secondment. The 20th INTERPOL Asian Regional Conference will be held in the Hong Kong Police Headquarters in March 2008 with about 150 delegates and guests representing 30 member countries from the Asia-Pacific region.
Forensic Support
The Identification Bureau continued to contribute quality forensic science support services by means of professional fingerprint and photographic services and collection of DNA evidence from crime scenes. The installation of a new Computer Assisted Palmprint and Fingerprint Identification System (CAPFIS) is entering the final phase and is expected to bring in additional capability to identify unsolved cases that could not otherwise be identified via the current system. Implementation of this sophisticated technology will make the Force one of the best equipped in the world.
Forensic Firearms Examination
During the year, delegates from the Forensic Firearms Examination Bureau (FFEB) attended the Tripartite Technical Support Meeting in Hong Kong and Macao and exchanged technical experience on firearms examination with their counterparts from the Mainland and Macao. FFEB also conducted ballistic evaluations on the new bullet resistant vests and the new 9mm caliber self-loading pistols to be adopted by the Force.
Criminal Records
The Criminal Records Bureau maintains the Enhanced Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System (EPONICS), which contains databases on convicted criminals, wanted persons, missing persons, and many other cases. In March, a new version of the system (PONICS III) was launched to streamline workflows and improve operational efficiency.
Domestic Violence
Combating domestic violence has been a priority for the Police and the Commissioner's Operational Priorities 2007 further affirmed the Force's determination to professionally handle and investigate all reports of domestic violence.
A series of enhancement measures to strengthen the Force's response at both the initial handling and subsequent investigation stage of a domestic violence report were implemented during the year. A direct referral line was set up by the Social Welfare Department for the Police to make emergency referrals for cases that require immediate intervention. On the investigation side, a graded investigative response mechanism was provided with the set up of designated Domestic Violence Units to take charge of serious domestic violence investigations. Specialised training to enhance officers' capability in the effective handling of serious cases was provided to all officers attached to the designated investigation units.
Witness Protection Unit
The Witness Protection Unit continued its core duties to provide security protection to individual witnesses exposed to possible threats of serious injury or death. Through attendance at overseas conferences and courses as well as visits by counterparts from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, expertise and experience were shared in the development of witness protection.
Police Negotiation Cadre
The Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC), a voluntary and part-time unit within the Operations Wing, is dedicated to the effective use of negotiation techniques to peacefully resolve crisis situations. In 2007, the PNC spent a total of 858 hours responding to a total of 104 incidents. In October, PNC successfully hosted the 8th International Negotiators Working Group Conference in Hong Kong, attended by delegates from 20 countries and regions.
Counter Terrorism
Vigilance was maintained Force-wide to guard Hong Kong against terrorism in 2007. In view of the heightened international terrorist threat, counter terrorism exercises were conducted at the Shenzhen Bay Port, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, and other public transportation facilities to enhance the Force's operational response and inter-departmental coordination.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau
The EOD Bureau provides the only bomb disposal capability in the HKSAR and forms an essential part of the Force's counter terrorism (CT) and internal security response capability. The Bureau's responsiveness is greatly enhanced by the deployment of EOD Cadre, a group of part-time volunteers, who are trained in improvised explosive device disposal. In 2007, EOD Cadre took part in planned operations at the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR celebrations, the opening of Shenzhen Bay Port and Bridge, and various VIP/Internationally Protected Persons visits that required CT response services from the Bureau.
Police Dog Unit
There are about 120 police dogs serving in the Unit. In August, the Unit deployed a significant number of police dogs to cater for the internal security operation mounted in relation to the Good Luck Beijing – HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup. The Unit also increased the number of explosives search dogs ready for operations to be mounted in Hong Kong during the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.
Public Relations
The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) plays an important role in keeping the public informed of the work of the Force and maintaining good relations with all sectors of the community with a view to enlisting public support for maintaining law and order. Police policies and operational priorities are disseminated to the public through the Police Community Relations Officers attached to different districts while the Junior Police Call (JPC) Scheme and the Police School Liaison Programme serve as bridges between the Police and young people.
To keep the public abreast of crime trends and to appeal for information to assist in crime investigations, PPRB worked with Radio Television Hong Kong and Cable TV to produce several television programmes, including the Police Magazine and Police Bulletin. Assistance was also rendered to film companies and television stations to produce police-related dramas and documentaries, and to the Film Services Office of TELA in respect to the processing of filming-related licence applications.
Information pertaining to Police is continually disseminated to local and overseas media organisations round the clock. PPRB also produces a number of publications, including the bi-weekly newspaper Offbeat, the JPC monthly newsletter and the Police Review. The Police Review 2006 won a Citation for Achievement in Design in the 2007 Best Annual Reports Awards organised by the Hong Kong Management Association. PPRB also assisted the Fight Crime Committee in planning and implementing the Fight Crime Publicity Campaign 2007-08.
In 2007, 80 citizens who had assisted the Police in fighting crime were given recognition under the Good Citizen Award Scheme administered by the Police Force with sponsorship from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.
Police telephone hotlines and Crime Information Forms provide convenient channels for reporting crime. A total of 21 086 hotline phone calls – excluding those made to the '999' hotline – and 1 572 returned Crime Information Forms were recorded by year-end, resulting in 384 arrests.
Licensing Office
In 2007, the Police Licensing Office conducted a review and revision of application forms and guidelines for various kinds of licences for improving the efficiency and customer friendliness of the licensing process. The Force continued with the role of facilitating all peaceful public order events. In 2007, the Force processed 1 431 notifications of public order events and 3 629 applications for liquor licences.
Occupational Safety and Health
In addition to improving the current Force Safety Management System and building upon the culture of safety within the Force, the main focus of the Force during the year was preparing for the forthcoming launch of a computerised version of the management system. This will be a significant step in the evolution of Police safety management.
Five-Day Week in the Force
Following the announcement of the Government-wide Five-Day Week initiative in early 2006, a Special Duty Team was established under Support Wing to study Force migration to the new work pattern. The study, with the participation of a broad spectrum of staff, involved examining the work patterns of over 31 000 disciplined and civilian staff in the Force. The study aimed to ensure that services provided to the public would not be compromised whilst staff expectations could be adequately addressed.
By July 1, 2007, about 47 per cent of staff, who mainly perform back-end administrative, professional support and operational duties, had migrated to a five-day week.
Transport
Environmental awareness continues to be a major focus and the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles is an important component of this policy. During the year, following on from the successful trials of environmentally friendly hybrid vehicles, the Force prepared to take delivery of around 70 hybrid vehicles in early 2008.
Having received in 2006 the Exemplary Business Support Gold Award from the Social Welfare Department, the Force continued to support the employment of people with disabilities in connection with the outsourcing of vehicle cleaning services.
Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF)
The 3 800 members of HKAPF continued to provide strong support to their regular counterparts during major events in 2007, such as the 10th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR celebrations and the Good Luck Beijing – HKSAR 10th Anniversary Cup. Members of HKAPF will continue to be deployed in future major events, especially the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.
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