ENG-2018 — Page 317

16

Public Order

The police's Internal Investigations Office embeds ethics and integrity in the police through education and culture building, governance and control, enforcement and deterrence, and reintegration and support.

Independent Police Complaints Council

The IPCC is an independent statutory body. Its key functions are:

• To observe, monitor and review the police's handling and investigation of reportable complaints;

• To monitor actions taken or to be taken against any member of the police force by the Commissioner of Police in connection with reportable complaints;

• To identify any fault or deficiency in police practice or procedure that has led to or might lead to reportable complaints, and to make recommendations accordingly;

• To advise the Commissioner of Police and/or the Chief Executive of its opinion and/or recommendation in connection with reportable complaints; and

• To promote public awareness of the role of the council.

Members and observers of the IPCC are drawn from a wide spectrum of society with diverse expertise, and are appointed by the Chief Executive and the Secretary for Security respectively. They may attend interviews and observe the police's collection of evidence about reportable complaints to ensure investigations are conducted fairly and impartially.

In 2018, the IPCC scrutinised and endorsed the findings in 1,522 investigation reports on reportable complaints received during the year or carried forward from previous years, involving 2,539 allegations. Of these, 79 allegations were found to be substantiated or partially substantiated and the police have taken appropriate action against the officers involved.

Correctional Services Department

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) runs a comprehensive range of programmes for adult and young persons in custody under two broad headings: prison management and rehabilitation of offenders.

As at 31 December, the department was managing 28 correctional facilities of different security grading, with 6,551 staff looking after 8,181 persons in custody and 1,412 people under supervision after discharge. Offenders sentenced to imprisonment are assigned to correctional institutions according to their gender, age and security ratings. Separate institutions are provided for male and female adults and young persons in custody. Young offenders aged between 14 and 20 may be admitted to a training centre or rehabilitation centre. Males aged between 14 and 24 may undergo a detention centre programme. Drug addicts found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment may be placed in a drug addiction treatment centre.

255