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Force partners with OUHK for recruit training (with photo)
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Development of the Police College has taken a major step forward with Training Wing of the Hong Kong Police Force signing a partnership contract with the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) on October 28 for recruit police constables' foundation training.

Training Wing conducted a feasibility study in March 2002 "to explore developing a Police College as a Centre of Excellence in Police Training". It was subsequently concluded that, in keeping with global trends, there was a need to professionalise police training through collaborative arrangements with universities. The first step was to identify a suitable university partner in delivering joint subjects related to social studies and policing psychology in the training programmes for recruit police constables.

A tendering exercise was launched in July 2005 to select a suitable university partner, and OUHK was finally selected. The partnership contract will last for 36 months commencing last month.

After signing the contract on behalf of the Force, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Training) Robin Tse Shu-chun told Offbeat that training is important and integral to the development of a modern police force. As such, the Force sees it right to ensure that continuous improvement is in place to prepare Force members to meet the challenges of a dynamic Hong Kong and the ever increasing demands of the public.

"It's evident that many social issues are becoming more complex and there is a growing need for frontline officers to demonstrate a high degree of sensitivity to those issues, in particular interpersonal skills, analytical power and decision-making ability. All of these bear implications to the requirements of foundation training," he added.

Mr Tse pointed out that vocational training would continue to be the mainstream curriculum for all trainee officers. The partnership with OUHK would provide certain relevant policing theories to enhance trainee officers' understanding of the objectives and rationale of policing, in tandem with their "know-how" learnt from the vocational side of their training.

Professor John Minford, Acting Dean of the School of Arts and Social Sciences, signing the contract on behalf of OUHK, said he felt excited to see OUHK partner with HKPF to professionalise police training, and looked forward to wider collaboration with the Force in other areas in future.

According to Training Wing, it is expected that trainee officers joining the Force in January 2006 will be the first intake to benefit from the new collaborative arrangements. The duration of recruit training will remain at 27 weeks as before. Alongside the Force, OUHK will be responsible for the delivery of two of the 15 modules, covering the topics of criminal psychology, stress management, conflict management, community policing, policing and ethics, psychological applications, empathetic listening and interpersonal skills, etc.

Lecturers and tutors from OUHK will conduct training at the future Police College in Aberdeen (i.e. Police Training School) and will be provided with offices to facilitate their interaction with the trainee officers and training staff of the Force. Whilst undergoing training, trainee officers are allowed free access to OUHK library facilities, including its on-line library service through Internet.

Upon completion of their training, officers will be awarded by OUHK a Certificate in Law Enforcement and Security Management. After that there are pathways for the certificate holders to pursue higher academic qualifications such as diploma, higher diploma or degree offered by OUHK. The overall objective of this arrangement is to promote lifelong learning and continuous development.

Police Report No.6
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Tuesday, November 8, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:37

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