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A new troop of investigators is on the prowl for hidden casinos and other illicit gambling after an intense training exercise last month.

The 20 officers graduated from the Gambling Cadre Training Course on June 25 following an intensive three-week's work at the Detective Training School.

The intake brings the Force Gambling Cadre to a strength of 55 officers, assisting in the investigation and prosecution of illegal gambling activities. They received graduation certificates from the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Mr Gordon Fung Siu-yuen.

The Chief Superintendent of the Criminal Intelligence Bureau (CIB), Mr Tang Kam-moon, presented souvenirs to the four instructors: Station Sergeant Sham Kam-tim and Sergeants Tso Wai-tak, Mok Chi-kin and Wong Sing-chau.

The course included discussions dissecting the Gambling Ordinance, the development of illegal gambling on the Internet, triad involvement, common games played, cheating techniques, and the jargon used by gamblers and casino operations.

Training on the presentation of gambling evidence in court was also given and participants honed their skills through role play and small group discussion.

Commended as the outstanding student of the course, Sergeant Yau Ka-sing from Crime/Marine Region said he was greatly impressed by the content and professional advice given by the course instructors.

"Representatives from the Department of Justice were invited to teach us the techniques of presenting reliable evidence in court, and specialists explained to us some of the more unusual gambling games being used, such as dog or cricket fighting," Mr Yau said.

Another graduate, Sergeant Lai Fai-keung of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit/Crime/Hong Kong Island said it was of utmost importance for officers to convince the court they were experts in gambling and their views should be accepted. This made their contribution to prosecutions very important.

"The court should first accept our experience and knowledge before accepting our decisions," he said.

"For example, we have to decipher what kind of gambling has occurred by studying the seized gambling tools, chips and money.

"Also we have to look at the playing positions held by participants in the game - this is quite crucial in determining what was being played," he said.

"Gambling methods are changing fast and we have to keep up-to-date by learning new techniques.

"All graduated cadres have to attend seminars held twice a year to get hold of the latest information and court cases on gambling."

The course is organised by the CIB headed by the Superintendent/C Division/CIB, Mr Wong Tat-wah, and assisted by the Detective Training School course director, Mr Peter Ip Pau-fuk.

Police Report No.9

Issued by PPRB

End/1510 hrs, Wednesday, July 14, 1999 (PL)

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