ENG-2005 — Page 387

Public Order | 333

In 2005, the Complaints Against Police Office received 2 719 complaints, a decrease of 496 cases, or 15.4 per cent, compared to 2004. Decreases were noted in all types of complaints, an indication of the success of the office's complaint prevention efforts. Complaint prevention awareness through education and other activities organised by the Complaints Prevention Committee will continue to be a priority.

During the year, the IPCC endorsed the investigation results of 2 828 complaint cases, which involved 4 695 allegations. The substantiation rate of allegations investigated was 10.1 per cent. Complaints of a minor or trivial nature were dealt with by informal resolution, a method adopted in 19.2 per cent of the complaints. Nineteen police officers were subjected to disciplinary action as a result of public complaints received.

Civilian Staff

A civilian establishment of more than 5 000 in 56 different grades is deployed throughout the Police Force, representing about 15 per cent of its total manpower. Civilian staff members play a vital role by performing a wide variety of functional duties to support police operations.

Training Wing

During the year, the Training Wing consolidated existing resources and reorganised its command structure in preparation for the establishment of the Hong Kong Police College in January 2006. The new police college aspires to become a centre of excellence in police training and development.

In addition, through the Training Wing, the Force collaborated with local universities to develop psychological competency training for officers with the integrating professional psychological knowledge and practical policing experience, which provides officers with enhanced interpersonal skills in coping with their daily duties. It also enables officers to manage stress arising from police work. This new training material will be incorporated into various training courses on an incremental basis.

The 15th Interpol Symposium for Heads of Police Training

In March, in partnership with Interpol, the Force co-hosted the 15th Interpol Symposium for Heads of Police Training, the first time such an event was held outside Lyon, France.

The symposium's aim was two-fold: sharing knowledge and expertise and strengthening international training cooperation.

A total of 150 delegates from 47 jurisdictions attended the symposium, which a forum for exchanging the latest training information, knowledge, and technologies among police training leaders from around the world. It was also an excellent opportunity for the Force to network, strengthen or establish new ties with overseas police training establishments.