PUBLIC ORDER
Programme cum Youth Summit in conjunction with various youth organisations and universities. The programme, consisting of a Study Programme and a series of training workshops, will conclude with a Youth Summit to be held in March 2003.
To reinforce the culture of probity in the community, the department launched a 'Community Integrity Programme' in September with the support of the 18 District Councils and more than 150 district organisations. Over 200 activities were being organised region-wide from September to March.
International Cooperation
During the year, the ICAC received a total of 390 visitors from law enforcement agencies and other organisations in various countries.
ICAC officers also attended overseas conferences and forums including the First Korean ICAC Forum on Anti-corruption in Seoul and an Interpol Meeting on Banking in Saudi Arabia. Directorate officers regularly met the attaches of major overseas law enforcement agencies stationed in Hong Kong to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Cross-boundary Liaison
Cooperation between the ICAC and the Mainland anti-corruption authorities has become increasingly important with growing social and economic ties with the Mainland. In 2002, an ICAC delegation led by the Commissioner visited the anti- corruption agencies in Beijing and Guangzhou to exchange views and experience in investigation and preventive education work.
The Mutual Case Assistance Scheme established to enable the ICAC and the Mainland's procuratorial authorities to assist each other in interviewing witnesses in corruption investigations continued to operate efficiently. Under the scheme, ICAC investigators visited the Mainland on 26 occasions to meet voluntary witnesses while Mainland officers were assisted on 67 occasions in Hong Kong during the year. In addition, the Community Relations Department conducted talks for about 8 800 Mainland officials visiting Hong Kong.
Checks and Balances
The operation of the ICAC is subject to a stringent system of checks and balances. Apart from judicial supervision, the commission's work is scrutinised by four advisory committees the Advisory Committee on Corruption, the Operations Review Committee, the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations.
An independent ICAC Complaints Committee, which comprises members of the Legislative Council and other prominent citizens, monitors the handling of complaints against the ICAC and its officers. The ICAC also has an internal investigation group that oversees the conduct of its officers and investigates complaints made against them.
Government Laboratory
The Forensic Science Division of the Government Laboratory is one of the largest and most sophisticated crime laboratories in the Asia-Pacific region, providing a wide variety of scientific services to law enforcement departments in Hong Kong. The
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