[ Foreword ] [ Memorable Events ] [ The Hand of Partnership ] [ Operations ] [ Regional Commanders' Report ] [ Personnel and Training ]
[ Management Services ] [ Finance, Administration and Planning ] [ Environmental Report ] [ Organisation ] [ Annexes and Appendices ]
The law and order situation remained stable in 2015. There were 66,439 recorded crimes of which 10,889 were classified as violent crimes, representing decreases of 1.9 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively on the 67,740 and 11,073 cases in 2014. The overall crime rate and violent crime rate per 100,000 populations also improved to 909 and 149 respectively as compared to 935 and 153 in 2014. The detection rates stood at 44.8 per cent for overall crime and 60.8 per cent for violent crime, respectively up by 1.4 percentage points and down by 1.1 percentage points when compared with 2014.
The decrease in crime was attributable to significant reductions in miscellaneous theft, wounding and serious assault, criminal intimidation, burglary, robbery, arson, indecent assault and homicide. The number of robbery and burglary cases recorded in 2015 reached record lows respectively since 1969 and 1970. Running counter to this welcome trend, deception and blackmail were the two major categories reaching a rise of 5.6 per cent and 54.4 per cent, mainly attributable to the persistent increase in cases of social media deception and naked chat.
Police arrested over 4,300 people and seized dangerous drugs and illicit goods worth about $102 million during a tripartite anti-crime joint operation mounted by the Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao Police authorities between June and September.
In 2015, the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau continued to combat organised and serious crime and triad activities, particularly those involving cases of serious violence, syndicated vice, loansharking, human trafficking and syndicated vehicle theft, by means of a series of proactive intelligence-led operations. Six undercover operations against prominent triad societies were conducted, resulting in the arrest of 440 triad members for various triadrelated offences. Eleven vehicle theft syndicates were also neutralised in the year, with 43 persons arrested and 30 vehicles recovered. In June, the Bureau arrested a number of individuals in relation to serious offences involving explosives.
Building and maintaining partnerships with law enforcement agencies from other jurisdictions remained a top priority. Between June and September, the Bureau co-ordinated a series of tripartite joint operations together with the Guangdong and Macao Police, which resulted in the arrest of 4,343 persons for various triadrelated offences and the seizure of dangerous drugs and other illicit goods worth $102 million.
The Criminal Intelligence Bureau (CIB) continued to play a pivotal role in implementing intelligence-led policing that proactively targeted triad and organised crime activities. Building on a robust system for intelligence exchanges, the Bureau liaised effectively with the Mainland, Macao, and overseas law enforcement agencies (LEAs) through communication. The Bureau also provided intelligence support for major operations and serious crime investigations, while also contributing to capacity building by providing training in collaboration with other LEAs. The two expert cadres on triads and gambling administered by the CIB continued to play an indispensable role in support of frontline investigators.
Attendees at the Transnational Organised Crime & Information-led Policing Conference share knowledge and intelligence in a global context.
The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB) remained prominent in tackling serious and complex cases of fraud, forgery and the use of counterfeit monetary instruments, both in Hong Kong and overseas.
Having built on the success of two cross-jurisdictional operations in 2014 that targeted “naked chat” blackmail cases over the Internet and a telephone deception syndicate, the Bureau continued collaborating with other LEAs to fight syndicated frauds and investment scams.
The scam prevention platform “Fight Scams Together”, launched in 2014, was expanded to engage new sectors of the community. A ‘train-the-trainer’ approach was adopted to maximise outreach to the target audience, which included young people, and joint initiatives with public organisations and NGOs were carried out that involved the dissemination of scam prevention messages.
The Bureau maintained close co-operation with local and international partners. A three-day conference on Transnational Organized Crime and Information-led Policing, co-hosted by the Bureau and the Consulate General of the United States, Hong Kong & Macau, was held in May. Representatives of local and international LEAs and prosecution authorities attended and shared the knowledge and intelligence in combating transnational organised crimes.
In order to effectively combat increasingly sophisticated technology crimes and maintain a safe cyberspace for Hong Kong, the former Technology Crime Division of the Commercial Crime Bureau (TCD CCB) was upgraded into a new Crime Wing bureau in 2015, under the name of the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau (CSTCB). The CSTCB, with its extra manpower, has greatly enhanced the Force’s ability to combat technology crimes and handle cyber security incidents.
CSTCB continued the work of the TCD CCB in establishing strategic partnerships with stakeholders. In March, the Bureau hosted the Cyber Security Symposium 2015 with the theme of “Safeguarding Our Cyber World Hand in Hand”, aiming to strengthen the liaison network with stakeholders and promote a cyber security culture. Over 230 local participants (including representatives of 80 local entities) together with cyber crime investigators from 13 countries attended the symposium. The Bureau also disseminates useful technology crime and cyber security advice through social media.
The Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau was formed in 2015 to co-ordinate efforts in combating technology crimes.
The Narcotics Bureau continued to collaborate with Mainland and overseas LEAs in the fight against transnational drug trafficking. These strategic partnerships led to 33 successful joint operations in the year, resulting in the seizure of 4,557 kg of illicit drugs, 1.21 tonnes of semi-product of methamphetamine and 515kg of precursor chemicals. In 2015, a total of 4,309 persons had been arrested for drug offences, 34.5 per cent relating to methamphetamine and 25.4 per cent relating to ketamine.
Under the co-ordination of the Security Bureau, the Narcotics Bureau worked closely with other stakeholders to facilitate legislative amendments and devise timely and effective intervention strategies in response to the emergence of new drugs. On 27 November, NBOMe compounds, a synthetic cannabinoid, was added to the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
Narcot ics Bureau organises two international f inancial investigation courses with the attendance of 99 participants from 13 jurisdictions and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies in October.
The Joint Financial Intelligence Unit (JFIU) and the Financial Investigations Division (FID) of the Narcotics Bureau remained committed to combating money laundering and terrorist financing activities.
The JFIU maintained close, effective international co-operation through exchanges of financial intelligence with its overseas counterparts. JFIU officers also took part in organising seminars for financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions, at which antimoney laundering messages were conveyed.
The efforts of the FID, together with other investigation units in the Force, led to a total of 121 persons being convicted of money laundering offences in 2015. Criminal assets of $251 million were restrained, and $139 million confiscated.
The Bureau took part in the international conferences of the Financial Action Task Force, the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering, and the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units. The newly established Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment Unit continued to assist the Government in coordinating risk assessment exercises in Hong Kong.
Robotcop delivers basic crime prevention knowledge to kindergarten children in an interactive way.
Senior Police Call members pack the Crime Prevention Bureau Display room on their visit.
The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to offer professional crime prevention advice through a wide range of publicity channels, including leaflets for overseas visitors, media briefings, seminars, and exhibitions of security equipment. These were supplemented by promotions through the Police Public Page, the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application, the Hong Kong Police YouTube Channel, and the recently rolled-out Hong Kong Police Facebook. The Bureau also continued its partnership with the security industry, helping ensure that security companies and their security personnel provide high quality services.
The Liaison Bureau endeavours to establish a strong partnership with Mainland, Macao and Taiwan authorities and INTERPOL members.
During the year, the Bureau co-ordinated the Force’s participation in the 21st Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Tripartite Heads of Criminal Investigation Department Meeting in Macao, and the 23rd Bilateral Meeting since Reunification between Mainland Public Security Authorities and Hong Kong Police Force in Beijing. It also arranged high-level visits to international strategic partners, and collaborated with overseas LEAs by signing bilateral agreements.
In 2015, Memoranda of Understanding were signed or renewed between the Force and several of its strategic partners, including Australia, Cambodia, France, Korea, the Netherlands and Singapore. In September, the Bureau co-hosted the 6th INTERPOL Integrated Tools and Services (IITS) Course with INTERPOL’s Capacity Building and Training Directorate. It was the first time ever for such an INTERPOL course to be held in Hong Kong. The course aimed at bringing together a pool of experts to share advanced knowledge of INTERPOL’s I-24/7 tools, data recording methodologies, and rules on data processing.
As members of the National Central Bureau (NCB) China, officers from Liaison Bureau attend the 11th INTERPOL Annual Heads of NCB Conference in Lyon, France, on fighting against terrorism and organised crime.
A Force delegation attends the 21st Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Tripartite Heads of CID Meeting in Macao on cross-jurisdictional crime investigation with a view to further strengthening co-operation in the year to come.
Liaison Bureau and INTERPOL Capacity Building and Training Directorate co-host the 6th INTERPOL Integrated Tools and Services Course.
The Identification Bureau continued to provide professional fingerprint examination, firearms related forensic services, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) collection and photographic services to the Force and other LEAs.
The Criminal Records Bureau continued to provide round-the-clock support services to frontline Police officers and other Government departments in relation to information available on the Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System.
The Family Conflict and Sexual Violence Policy Unit continued to formulate and implement Force policies, procedures and training on the handling of offences involving child and elder abuse, as well as domestic, family and sexual violence. The unit adopts a multiagency and cross-sectoral approach to assist frontline units in tackling such offences.
The Major Incident Investigation and Disaster Support System continued to assist Force-wide units, as well as other Government departments, in the efficient management of large quantities of information to improve the effectiveness of complex investigations.
The Witness Protection Unit continued to provide advice to overseas LEAs on matters concerning witness protection through experience sharing.
The Fingerpr int and Palmpr int Livescan System is awarded the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award 2015 - Bronze Prize in the Team Award (Internal Service).
Counter Terrorism Response Unit conducts counter-terrorism exercise.
The Counter Terrorism and Internal Security Division is responsible for the planning and implementation of Force-level policies relating to counter terrorism and internal security. The Division ensures that the Force maintains a high level of readiness against the threat of terrorism, and to this end it liaises and co-ordinates its activities closely with other Government departments and private-public agencies.
One of the Force’s primary resources for countering terrorism is the Counter Terrorism Response Unit, which forms part of the Division. In addition to conducting counter-terrorist patrols at designated locations, the Unit also provides defensive coverage for sensitive locations throughout the territory, including critical infrastructure sites, mass transportation systems, and other premises of significance. The Unit also regularly participates in joint training activities and exercises with other operational units of the Force as a means of enhancing its interoperability and response capability to any terrorist attack.
In 2015, a training programme leading to the Certificate in Behaviour Observation Techniques was accredited under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework, which will help enhance the professionalism of officers of the Force Search Unit and other frontline units. This programme aims at improving officers’ ability to detect potential terrorists in a crowd through the use of specialised observation and identification strategies.
In 2015, the Police Dog Unit had 116 dogs trained for patrols, drug detection, tracking, and explosive searches. The Unit also adopted suitable dogs from members of the public to be trained as Police dogs. During the year, the Unit set up a Police Dog Memorial Garden at its headquarters to recognise the loyal service of its canine partners who have died, and where their ashes can be scattered.
The Police Dog Unit undertakes searches in the street.
The Police Dog Unit sets up a Police Dog Memorial Garden at its headquarters for ash scattering.
The Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Headquarters provides training to the Force on internal security, crowd management, public order policing tactics, a range of tactical issues and command skills. Over time, the training provided by the Unit has evolved significantly to meet the changing needs of the public order environment in Hong Kong. In the past year, PTU Headquarters has continued to provide a series of large-scale thematic training sessions to frontline units which have prepared them for handling potential public disorder situations in a professional manner.
Officers from other LEAs (including the Singapore Police Department, the Macao Police Department and the Public Security Bureau of Mainland China) participated in the four-week PTU Cadre Course training, which covers basic internal security tactics, public order policing theory and leadership development. In the process, they were able to share their training experience and strengthen regional working relationships.
During the year, PTU Headquarters has continued to provide additional manpower in support of frontline units handling various major operations. To strengthen the relationship between the Police and the community, various community groups (including Junior Police Call and Senior Police Call) were invited to the final rehearsals for the PTU Companies’ Passing-out Parades.
PTU Headquarters has been implementing new PTU training principles in support of the Commissioner’s Operational Priorities and the 2014-16 Force Strategic Direction 2. These new training principles are (i) One PTU Spirit, (ii) Seven Leadership Attributes, and (iii) Ten Public Order Events Policing Principles. Following the application of these training principles, PTU Headquarters took part in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2015, and was awarded a Silver Prize and a Special Citation (Responsiveness to Customer Needs) under the ‘Regulatory/Enforcement Service’ Team Award.
The Police Tactical Unit was awarded a Silver Prize and a Special Citation (Responsiveness to Customer Needs) under the Regulatory/Enforcement Service Team Award in the Civil Service Outstanding Sevice Award Scheme 2015.
In addition to its core role of explosive ordnance disposal, including rendering safe unexploded ordnance from World War II, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau provides a critical counter-terrorism capability for Hong Kong - working in partnership with other units within the Police Force, other Government departments, and LEAs around the world. During the year, the Bureau rendered safe a number of bombs from World War II, including items discovered at the Victoria Park and Queen Mary Hospital.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau is responsible for all bomb work including rendering safe unexploded ordnance from World War II.
Force Rope Access Cadre (FRAC)To better reflect its professional competence, the Force Abseiling Cadre revised its English name in 2015 to the Force Rope Access Cadre (FRAC). During the year, FRAC continued to promulgate operational safety by supporting commanders at training sessions and in tasks that involved unusual physical situations. FRAC also offered Operational Access/Safety Technique courses to different operational units within the Force, as well as to participants from other Government departments.
On the professional development front, representatives of FRAC visited the Specialist Response Group of the Australian Federal Police in March as part of a good practice benchmarking operation. In addition, four FRAC members were accredited as ‘Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Inspectors’ in the United Kingdom. Their experience and qualifications have proved valuable in implementing the official Guidelines on Police Work-at-Height, and helped raised the professionalism of the Force. The gaining of these qualifications has also reinforced the role of FRAC as a consulting party for Operational Work-at-Height Technique and Safety in the Force.
The Force Rope Access Cadre provides suppor t to frontline staf f in various tasks involving unusual positioning.
The Police Public Engagement Office (PPEO) maintains effective communication with, and fosters long-term relationships with, academics, stakeholders and relevant organisations, with the ultimate goal of facilitating peaceful public events. During the year, the PPEO organised training, sharing sessions and workshops for frontline officers, while also providing on-site liason support to Police Community Relations Officers and frontline commanders during major public order events.
The Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC) consists of over 70 dedicated volunteer Police officers, who share the common values of ‘Passion’, ‘Noble’ and ‘Commitment’. It provides a round-the-clock contingency service for the purpose of saving lives and resolving crisis situations through negotiation. Given the PNC’s crisis intervention capabilities, it is deployed to handle terrorist and criminal hostage incidents as well as for suicide intervention and negotiations at major public order events.
As a way of enhancing its professionalism and fostering international co-operation, the PNC conducts regular joint exercises with key local stakeholders and participates in international negotiators’ conferences and training programmes. The PNC also organises crisis negotiation and suicide intervention workshops for members of other disciplinary services, as well as social workers, school principals and mental health professionals.
The year 2015 marked the 40th Anniversary of the PNC. After 40 years of service, the PNC remains committed to upholding its motto ‘Who Cares Wins’, and continues to work wholeheartedly towards achieving its vision of being a globally respected professional crisis negotiation unit.
The Police Negotiation Cadre comprises volunteer Police officers who serve as secondary duty to save life and resolve crisis situation through negotiation.
The Briefing Support Unit is an integral part of the Force’s counter terrorist response capabilities. The primary role of the Unit is to construct models to scale in support of operational planning, and to conduct briefings on terrorist incidents. In recent years, the Unit has contributed to investigations and inquests in relation to a number of major incidents.
In 2015, the Force Escort Group (FEG) delivered 1,114 man-days in escort operations. In total, these involved 240 mobilisations, including the escort of visiting VIPs and People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison, escort for the transportation of arms and ammunition, and valuable property, and escort for funeral services.
During the year, the FEG conducted two selection exercises involving 34 officers. Of these, 13 were selected to attend a five-day Motorcycle VIP Escort Training course.
To further strengthen co-operation and share good practice relating to escort tactics with other jurisdictions, four FEG officers visited the Australian Federal Police in Canberra during the year.
The Occupational Safety and Health Cadre currently has 19 members, each of whom is accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, United Kingdom. The Cadre’s primary responsibility is to provide Force members with training in risk assessment, risk management and accident investigation, thus ensuring Force-wide compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance. During the year, the Cadre provided training leading to occupational safety and health qualifications for over 800 Force members, along with safety induction training for over 1,800 new recruits at the Hong Kong Police College. In June, members of the Cadre attended the 31st International Congress on Occupational Health held in Korea.
The Police Licensing Office is responsible for processing and issuing various types of licences and permits on behalf of the Commissioner of Police. It also processes the registration of societies, handles licence-related enquiries, reviews and implements various licensing policies, and facilitates the work of other licensing authorities. In addition, the Office oversees Force policy relating to public order events.
Upon restructuring of the Office, a dedicated Public Order Events Support Section is responsible for staffing policy on matters pertaining to public order events, providing support to frontline officers as well as conducting liaison with stakeholders.
In 2015, the Office uploaded a total of 987 sets of conditions imposed in respect of notifiable public order events to the Police website. This information could also be accessed via the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application. In addition, the Office processed 58,459 applications for security personnel permits, 85 applications for massage establishment licences, 218 applications for pawnbroker licences, and 5,859 applications for liquor licences.
The Office has also begun providing full support and additional resources for the implementation of the Government’s policy initiative to unlock the potential of the local work force, under which in mid-December 2015 the Security and Guarding Services Industry Authority raised the upper age limit for Category B Security Personnel Permits from 65 to 70.
In August, the Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) (Amendment) Regulation 2015 (which extends the maximum validity period of a liquor licence from one to two years) took effect, and the Office helped facilitate the smooth implementation of the new policy. The Office also arranged two visits to liquor licensed premises for members of the Liquor Licensing Board members and representatives of relevant Government departments, at which it offered an overview of the latest situation regarding these premises.
The Police Licensing Of f ice is responsible for processing and issuing various types of licences and permits on behalf of the Commissioner of Police as well as processes the registration of societies, handles licence-related enquiries.
The Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB) continued its partnership initiatives with both the media and the community at large, as a means of enlisting public support for the work of the Force. This included making information about Police activities available to the media on a 24-hour basis, via its interactive electronic platform. In December, a new Force Media Liaison Cadre was set up to foster mutual understanding and respect between the Police and the media, and enhance their interaction in operational situations and environments.
With a view to fostering community engagement and conveying anti-crime messages, the PPRB has continued to utilise Internet and social media platforms across the year, including the Police Public Page, the Hong Kong Police Mobile Application, and the Hong Kong Police YouTube channel. In October, these were supplemented by the new Hong Kong Police Facebook page.
Publications of the PPRB that appeared during the year included a fortnightly newspaper, OffBeat , a monthly Junior Police Call Newsletter, and the annual Hong Kong Police Review. In addition, Police Magazine, Police Report and Police Bulletin were broadcast to provide information about crime trends and crime prevention measures. The PPRB also assisted local and overseas TV broadcasters and film production companies in producing TV dramas, documentaries and films related to Police work, and liaised with relevant Government agencies in relation to location filming. The PPRB also helped the Fight Crime Committee in planning and implementing its publicity campaigns.
With a view to fostering community engagement and conveying anti-crime messages, the PPRB launches the new Hong Kong Police Facebook page.
The Police Community Relations Officers acted as important channels by which members of the public were kept informed about Police policies and operational priorities. Meanwhile, the Junior Police Call scheme and the Police School Liaison Programme served as valuable bridges between the Police and Hong Kong’s young people.
Throughout the year, various Police districts organised programmes designed to engage Non-Ethnic Chinese (NEC) members of the community. Yau Tsim District and Yuen Long District launched Project Gemstone and Project Himalaya respectively, each of which included initiatives to engage their local NEC communities and provide Chinese language training opportunities. Project Translink, initiated by Kowloon West Region, provides instant interpretation services in seven common NEC languages so that NEC residents can easily file reports at Police report rooms; in 2015 this service was extended to cover ten report rooms. In addition, Police Community Liaison Assistants were recruited in 14 Police districts, tasked with helping build long-term relationships between the Police and members of the NEC community.
The PPRB Senior Police Call Scheme continued to promote the message of crime prevention and personal safety to the elderly, in a scheme that includes over 5,300 members in 21 Police districts.
This year, 80 members of the public received awards under the Police’s ‘Good Citizen Award’ scheme (sponsored by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce), in recognition of the help they provided to the Police in fighting crime.
The PPRB Senior Police Call Scheme continued to promote the message of crime prevention and personal safety to the elderly, in a scheme that includes over 5,300 members in 21 Police districts.
In 2014, the Enhanced Driver Safety System (EDSS) was introduced with the aim of improving driving safety in Police vehicles by, among other initiatives, installing cameras on vehicles. During 2015, a review of EDSS noted that the system had resulted in a reduction in the number of casualties from traffic accidents involving Police vehicles, and had had a beneficial influence on the attitudes of drivers. Given this positive review, the system has been further extended to include more four-wheel Police vehicles. Currently, consideration is also being given to including large motorcycles in EDSS with a view to offering more protection to the officers who ride them, and who are comparatively more vulnerable to injury in traffic accidents.
The Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force supports the frontline crowd management operations and beat patrol duties of the regular Force. In 2015, volunteers from all walks of life continued to be sought to join the Auxiliary Force; those joining included men and women in full-time employment and university students. The Auxiliary Force now comprises about 4,000 members of all ranks integrated with the regular Force.
Forty citizens who had helped the Police fight crime were commended at the Good Citizen Award Presentation Ceremony on February 24.
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