******************************************

With a total of 60 newly designed and refurbished video interview rooms (VIRs) which have come into stream at the beginning of this year, the Hong Kong Police Force keeps equipping its officers with video interviewing techniques, both quantitative and qualitative.

Video-taped interviews of the suspects enhance further the admissibility of confession statement and transparency of interrogation in criminal proceedings, said the Acting Chief Superintendent, Crime, based at Police Headquarters, Mr To Chun-wai.

To support the expansion of the use of video-taped interviews and to polish the techniques of their colleagues, two Chief Inspectors from Detective Training School (DTS) were sent to the United Kingdom to attend an advanced investigation interview course.

When the two instructors returned last (March) month , they bring along the latest video interviewing techniques with which they are prepared to re-design the video interviewing course currently being offered by the DTS.

The pair are working on a plan to organise the "Train the Trainers" Course at the DTS to enable more officers to benefit from their training.

Up to date, the DTS has organised some 120 interview development training courses for more than 1 000 crime officers ranging from Constables to Chief Inspectors.

In the meantime, a number of officers from specialised criminal investigation units including the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau and Commercial Crime Bureau as well detectives based at regional and district levels, who have undertaken training at the DTS, have been arranging their own short courses and training day sessions on videotaped interview for their colleagues.

"Videotaping is the fairest and most equitable means of recording interviews of suspects by law enforcement agencies around the world."

"As the actual interview is recorded on videotape, opportunities for suspects to make allegations against the investigating officers are substantially reduced," Mr To said.

The use of videotape has proven effective in reducing the number of challenges to the admissibility of confession statements, and that where objection is raised there is less likelihood that the statement will subsequently be rejected when the interview has been videotaped.

"The VIR process also leads to no evidential loss as the tape reveals the voice intonation and facial expression of the suspect and interviewer," Mr To said.

"At the same time, the interviewing officer who is free from taking notes can create a rapport with the suspect, and in turn an atmosphere conducive to open dialogue and confession," he added.

He pointed out that because no text was prepared by interviewing officers, areas for argument on accuracy, interpretation and bias are eliminated.

The interview is simultaneously recorded on three video tapes. When the interview is finished, one of the tapes is sealed in the interviewee's and his or her legal representative's presence and will be kept securely in case it is needed in future court proceedings.

The second tape is retained by Police as a working copy while the third given to the interviewee's legal representative if present.

The idea of video interview is to present to the court an unbiased interview record which is conducted in a fair and transparent environment, Mr To noted.

Videotaping of interviews by the Hong Kong Police was first introduced in 1993. Three years later, VIRs was accepted as the way forward.

By the end of 1997, the number of VIRs had expanded to 11 with an increased degree of technical sophistication.

Mr To said: "By that time, funding was granted for more and to bring the rooms up to a uniform standard. By the end of last year, the Force completed a project for the setting up of 60 newly designed and refurbished VIRs as scheduled.

"At present, plans are in hand to set up one more VIR each in Central and Airport by this May and in Tung Chung by this June if funds are available," he said.

The existing 60 VIRs, all of which have become operational, are located at different bureaux, regional crime units and most major divisional stations for interviewing persons involved in cases which are likely to be heard in the District Court or the Court of First Instance.

Similar facility is also provided at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre and at the DTS for training purpose.

Police Report No. 6

Issued by PPRB

End/1445 hours, Sunday, April 4, 1999 (EL/TL)

NNNN