(b)
(c)
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in regard to those complaints which have been found to be substantiated, of the reasons why police officers have framed innocent persons; and
of the mechanism in place within the Police Force to prevent the occurrence of cases of police officers framing innocent persons?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a) (i)
(ii)
Detailed breakdown on complaints received alleging Police officers framing innocent persons in each of the past three years is at Annex. The Police do not keep separate statistics on complaints alleging taking fingerprints by force to fabricate evidence. They keep statistics on such complaints according to the offences arising from the alleged fabricated evidence. As such, the figures at Annex have already included cases, if any, related to taking fingerprints by force.
For cases substantiated in 1993, 4 officers were convicted with imprisonment ranging from 3 to 7 months. 5 others were disciplined with I receiving caution and 4 interviewed by their senior officers with an entry of the incident in their record of service. Disciplinary proceedings against the 10 officers under the category of "obstructing / assaulting a police officer" are in progress.
(iii) For cases substantiated in 1994, 1 officer was disciplined with "severe reprimand" and barred from promotion for two years. The other officer is under interdiction in connection with another criminal trial. As such, disciplinary action against that officer will be taken after the conclusion of his criminal trial.