ICAC Complaints Committee annual report tabled in LegCo
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The Committee is tasked with the responsibility of monitoring the handling of non-criminal complaints against the ICAC and its officers. The Committee takes an independent view on the ICAC's investigation findings on the complaints received, reviews the ICAC's procedures which may lead to complaints, and makes recommendations for improvement.
In 2021, the Committee received 13 complaints involving 26 allegations against the ICAC or its officers. Among the allegations registered in 2021, 69 per cent were related to neglect of duties by ICAC officers, 23 per cent to misconduct, and eight per cent to abuse of power.
The ICAC submits investigation reports to the Committee after conducting full investigations on complaint cases, while assessment reports are submitted for complaints which do not warrant full investigation. During 2021, the Committee considered the investigation reports of 13 complaint cases received in 2020 or 2021. These complaints contained a total of 25 allegations. Four allegations in three of these complaints were found to be substantiated, concerning a total of five ICAC officers. As a result, the five officers were given advice by senior officers. In the year, the Committee also considered and endorsed one assessment report. A preliminary assessment showed that the complainant repeated a complaint previously disposed of through the Committee, and the Committee agreed that no further investigative actions should be taken.
In the course of considering the complaints, both the Committee and the ICAC have scrutinised the internal procedures, guidelines and practices of the ICAC. After careful examination of the issues identified in the investigation reports considered in 2021, the ICAC organised a number of briefing sessions and strengthened the training programmes for frontline officers to enhance their vigilance and professionalism in delivering their duties. In particular, ICAC officers were advised to inform complainants of the investigation outcomes of their reports as soon as practicable and to be more vigilant in providing accurate information to the public. Moreover, the ICAC has introduced enhanced measures relating to the handover of cases to ensure that the complainant is informed of the change of case officer and the progress of the investigation in a timely manner.
The annual report of the Committee is available on the Administration Wing's website (www.admwing.gov.hk/eng/links/icac.htm) and also at the ICAC's regional offices.
Ends/Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Issued at HKT 11:30
Issued at HKT 11:30
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