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Measures to boost morale of CSD officers
Following is a question by the Hon Lau Hon-chuen and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
It is reported that the Legal Department has decided not to prosecute four Vietnamese migrants (VMs) who were suspected of assaulting law enforcement officers during the disturbance which took place at the Whitehead Detention Centre in May this year. According to the report, both the Correctional Services Department (which is responsible for the transfer operations of VMs) and the Police Force Council (which represents the four staff associations of the Police Force) are dissatisfied with the Legal Department's decision as it may set a precedent which may give the VMs the misconception that they will not be prosecuted even if they assault law enforcement officers. It is also reported that some CSD officers with five to ten years' service have recently applied for transfer to the hawker control teams. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the reasons for not prosecuting the VMs; and
(b) what measures will be taken to boost the morale of members of the disciplined services responsible for transfer operations of VMs and to retain them in the service?
Reply:
Mr President,
It is not the practice of the Attorney General's Chambers to disclose the reasons for pursuing or not pursuing a particular prosecution. Each case is considered on its own merits. The decision not to prosecute any persons arising from the operation in May to remove Vietnamese migrants from the Whitehead Detention Centre was made after the most careful consideration of all relevant factors. These factors included the quality of the evidence gathered, the surrounding circumstances of any alleged offences, how serious the alleged offences were, what the practical effects were, whether there were any extenuating circumstances, and how any decision to launch a prosecution might affect other people. In coming to the decision not to prosecute, the Attorney General had to assess where the interests of public justice lie.