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Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Emily Lau in the Legislative Council today (April 23):
Question:
On October 5 last year, the Police arrested 15 conservationists who protested against the demolition work at Lee Tung Street in Wan Chai. They were detained for investigation overnight and strip-searched in a police station. Some of them even claimed that they had been sexually harassed by police officers. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council whether:
(a) they have investigated if any police officer has committed acts of sexual harassment; if so, of the investigation findings, and the follow-up actions to be taken; if not, the reasons for that; and
(b) they have provided training courses on how to handle sexual harassment cases for police officers; if so, of the details, including the annual number of police officers receiving such training; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) In view of the ongoing judicial proceedings in respect of the Lee Tung Street case, it would be inappropriate for the Administration to provide any information that may directly or indirectly prejudice those proceedings.
(b) The induction training courses provided by the Police College for all newly-recruited police officers include a module on equal opportunities matters. The training module covers the definition of "sexual harassment" under the Sex Discrimination Ordinance (Cap. 480), the law enforcement powers conferred on the Police under the Ordinance as well as the Police procedures for handling cases concerning sexual harassment.
In 2007, a total of 1,186 Recruit Police Constables and 110 Probationary Inspectors attended the above-mentioned induction training.
Ends/Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Issued at HKT 15:06
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