ENG-1977 — Page 186

PUBLIC ORDER

Operations

125

The Operations Department is responsible for the investigation of alleged or suspected offences under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Ordinance and the ICAC Ordinance. In 1977, 1,700 reports alleging corruption were received from members of the public. Of these, 331 or 19 per cent were made by people who identified themselves or who went in person to the commission's main report centre or to the referral offices of ICAC local offices; 274 by telephone and 72 by letter. The commission also received 191 reports from government departments.

All reports of corruption are considered by the Operations Target Committee, which meets under the chairmanship of the commissioner and consists of private citizens and senior public servants. A sub-committee examines all anonymous allega- tions made to the commission. A total of 777 investigations were completed in 1977 and, at the end of the year, 270 allegations of corruption were still being investigated. A senior officer from the Attorney General's Chambers, supported by Crown Counsel, is attached to the Operations Department and directs the prosecution of corruption cases on behalf of the Attorney General. During the year, 272 prosecutions were made under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and for related offences. Among these were 48 on-street arrests by police of people who attempted to offer them bribes. Some 145 convictions were recorded and a further 73 cases were still pending.

The offensive launched in 1976 against corruption syndicates operating within the civil service intensified in an effort to overcome the worst of the problem. As a result of this pressure, all major syndicates were believed to have ceased operations by the end of 1977. Those that remained were either dormant or had been shattered into smaller and, therefore, financially less rewarding groups. Some 122 people were prosecuted during the year for conspiring in syndicated corruption and, at December 31, four syndicates were still before the courts.

On November 5, the Governor directed that the ICAC would in future not normally act on complaints or evidence relating to offences committed before January 1, 1977, except in relation to persons who had already been interviewed, persons against whom warrants had been issued, persons outside Hong Kong or if evidence came to light of a crime so heinous that it would be unthinkable to refrain from action.

Corruption Prevention

The Corruption Prevention Department examines the procedures and practices of government departments and public bodies and recommends changes in work methods that may provide opportunities for corruption. It also advises and helps people who seek advice on how to eliminate corrupt practices.

Studies undertaken by the Corruption Prevention Department are mainly based on information received from members of the public, the Operations Target Com- mittee, government departments, public bodies and private organisations. The com- mission's own staff may, in the course of their duties, also come across activities requiring the department's attention.

The Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee advises the Commissioner on the work of the department, including the degree of priority that should be accorded to areas awaiting examination. During the year, 71 studies were completed and the reports forwarded to relevant organisations for consideration. Of these studies, 63