XN000022-1997-01-08 — Page 30

Reply:

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Mr President,

(a) The Code of Access to Information was only extended to the Police Force with effect from 23 December 1996, consistent with the Government's commitment to extend the Code to all branches and departments by the end of 1996. The Police Force is in the last batch of departments to join the Code as it was planned that this should coincide with the amendments to the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints Ordinance, recently passed on 18 December, which empowers the Commissioner (now the Ombudsman) to investigate complaints against the Police of non-compliance with the Code Members of the public may apply for access to information, including Police procedures, from the Police's Access to Information Officer.

(b)

(c)

The existing Police procedures are consistent with the provisions of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance.

The Police Force has drawn up special procedures for handling cases involving battered spouses, juveniles/children and handicapped persons in an appropriate manner. There are established channels for Police to liaise closely with relevant parties, such as the Social Welfare Department and non-government organisations, to exchange views on handling these cases. Front-line Police officers are regularly trained to ensure that they are familiar with the relevant procedures so that vulnerable individuals are handled with care and sensitivity.

•

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