IPCC report being followed up

May 28, 2020
Clear direction
Clear direction:

Secretary for Security John Lee (centre) chairs the first task force meeting to follow up on recommendations made in the Thematic Study Report by the Independent Police Complaints Council.

A Security Bureau task force held its first meeting today to follow up on various recommendations set out in the Thematic Study Report of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC).

 

Secretary for Security John Lee, who supervises the task force, presided over the first meeting.

 

In addition to Security Bureau representatives and police officers, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Management) Kwok Yam-shu attended the meeting.

 

The IPCC made a total of 52 recommendations in the report. Mr Lee considered that Police should accord priority to dealing with recommendations that include dissemination of public information, arrangements for reporters during large-scale public order events, co-ordination among Police themselves and with other departments, temporary detention facilities and police officers' identification.

 

At the meeting, Mr Lee set out a clear direction on the work of the task force.

 

Due to the wide scope of the 52 recommendations, the task force decided to categorise them into five areas and set up five sub-groups under the task force.

 

The five areas are enhancing release of public information and review of media relations, review of guidelines on the use of force, improvement of arrangements for temporary holding areas, enhancement of police operational deployment and strategies as well as strengthening of Police's internal management, co-ordination and training.

 

Mr Lee required the five sub-groups to assess the complexity and urgency of relevant issues with a view to determining the review and follow-up arrangements, reporting back and commencing the related work.

 

Items deemed less complex should be implemented as soon as possible. One example follows an earlier indication by Police that they have ceased using the San Uk Ling Holding Centre to detain people arrested at public order events. Police should submit to the task force a clear policy for implementing such arrangement within the coming month.

 

Other examples include the review and improvement of protocols for organising press conferences with other departments or institutions and improvement of manpower deployment, equipment and other arrangements at detention facilities for handling large-scale operations.

 

The task force will consider inviting other departments and institutions to participate in the discussion and research of relevant issues.

 

Mr Lee indicated that the task force would regularly submit work progress reports to the Chief Executive. The first progress report will be submitted in August, followed by quarterly reporting.

 

Police must also report to and discuss with the IPCC its follow up actions in accordance with the mechanism under the IPCC Ordinance. The meeting and work arrangements of the task force will tie in with Police's progress reports to the IPCC.

Back to top