320 | Public Order
Complaints and Internal Investigations
The Complaints and Internal Investigations Branch comprises the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) and the Internal Investigations Office.
Complaints lodged by the public against members of the Police Force are handled by CAPO, which is committed to ensuring that every complaint is impartially and thoroughly investigated prior to subsequent examination and review by the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC).
Since the independent Police Complaints Council Ordinance (IPCCO) came into operation on June 1, 2009, the two-tier police complaints handling system has been operating effectively. CAPO continued to render full support to the IPCC in its performance of the functions as stipulated under the IPCCO in 2010.
During the year, CAPO received 3 320 reportable complaints, representing a decrease of 21.6 per cent as compared to 2009.
To promote further the Police Force's value of Integrity and Honesty, and to help maintain public confidence, the Police Force published a set of behavioural guidelines to define the parameters of behaviour expected of Police Force members on and off duty. The guidelines gained Police Force-wide acceptance after a successful internal communication campaign.
Independent Police Complaints Council
The IPCC is an independent body established, among other things to:
observe, monitor and review the Police Force's handling and investigation of reportable complaints;
• monitor follow-up and disciplinary actions taken in respect of members of the Police Force in connection with reportable complaints; and
• identify any fault or deficiency in police practice or procedure that may lead to reportable complaints and make recommendations accordingly.
Its 24 members, all appointed by the Chief Executive, are drawn from a wide spectrum of society with diverse expertise. The council had 110 observers at year- end. These observers, as well as the council members, may attend interviews and observe the collection of evidence conducted by Police formations in respect of reportable complaints on pre-arranged or surprise basis, to ensure that investigations are conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
During the year, IPCC scrutinised and endorsed the findings in 4 368 investigation reports on reportable complaints received in 2010 or those carried forward from previous years, involving a total of 7 952 allegations. Of these reports, 237 cases were found substantiated and the Police have taken appropriate actions against the officers involved.