ICAC's Institutional Strength

Independence of ICAC

• Since its establishment in February 1974, the ICAC has been fighting corruption independently without fear or favour. Its independent status is derived from the ICAC Ordinance (Cap. 204) which stipulates the statutory mandate of the ICAC in combatting corruption through investigation, prevention and education.
• The independence of the ICAC is further enshrined in Article 57 of the Basic Law of HKSAR which provides constitutional guarantee against any interference of our work.
• The ICAC impartially and rigorously enforces the law at all times, making corruption a high risk crime in Hong Kong. The corrupt will be pursued relentlessly irrespective of their background, status and position.

Checks and Balances

• The ICAC discharges its duties in strict accordance with the law. To give effect to this foundational principle, a robust checks and balances system is in place to make sure that the ICAC can meet the stringent requirements under the law and measure up to the high expectations of the public.

Holistic Anti-Corruption Strategy

• As a pioneer of a world-renowned three-pronged strategy to fight corruption through robust law enforcement, systemic prevention and comprehensive community education, the ICAC addresses both the symptoms and the root cause of corruption.
• Alongside law enforcement, the ICAC puts equal emphasis on system prevention and public education to sustain an integrity culture in the society so as to deprive corruption of its breeding ground. Through an "Ethics for All" approach in which partnerships are formed with the public and private sectors, the ICAC helps strengthen their corruption prevention capacity and spreads anti-corruption messages to every corner of the community.

Dedicated and Professional Staff

• The success of the anti-corruption mission of the ICAC rests on the dedication and professionalism of our officers. Different generations of graft busters have all shared the common goal of stamping out corruption and building up a clean society. This anti-corruption passion among our officers is reinforced by the high standards of conduct the Commission expects of its staff members as reflected in the Code of Ethics.

Organisation Structure

Establishment

At present, the ICAC has about 1,400 staff, with most of them appointed on contract terms and more than half having served for over 10 years.

Three-pronged Approach

The ICAC from its inception has adopted a unique strategy combining law enforcement, corruption prevention and community education to fight and prevent corruption on these fronts through its dedicated functional departments.

International Cooperation

Corruption knows no boundary. International cooperation is hence of paramount importance in graft fighting. As an active player in international cooperation, the ICAC works closely with global anti-corruption counterparts, and exchanges experience and seeks collaboration in law enforcement, corruption prevention, education and capacity building.

Organisation Chart

The ICAC comprises the office of the Commissioner and four functional departments - Operations (Law enforcement), Corruption Prevention (Prevention), Community Relations (Education) and International Cooperation and Corporate Services (International cooperation and administrative support).

Commissioner

• Operations Department (Law enforcement)
• Corruption Prevention Department (Prevention)
• Community Relations Department (Education)
• International Cooperation and Corporate Services Department (International cooperation and administrative support)

Organisation Chart: The ICAC comprises the office of the Commissioner and four functional departments - Operations (for law enforcement), Corruption Prevention, Community Relations (for anti-corruption education) and International Cooperation and Corporate Services (for international cooperation and administrative support).

The three-pronged approach, embodied in the Commission's three departments, has been vital in developing a new public consciousness. It has been recognised from the outset that prevention is as important as the deterrent of law enforcement, and the battle against corruption can only be won by changing people's attitude towards graft. The strategy has proved to be effective and remains the ICAC's guiding strategy, as well as an anti-corruption model referenced by the international community.

Among the four departments of the Commission, the Operations Department, Corruption Prevention Department and Community Relations Department are interdependent with each capitalising and building on the work of the other two departments to achieve the maximum effectiveness. The International Cooperation and Corporate Services Department leverages the strengths and experiences built up by the three departments to engage with counterparts in other jurisdictions to enhance collaboration at the international level, as well as providing administrative support at both the corporate and departmental levels.

• Operations Department receives, considers and investigates alleged corruption offences.
• Corruption Prevention Department examines practices and procedures of government departments and public bodies to reduce corruption opportunities and offers free and confidential corruption prevention advice to private organisations upon request.
• Community Relations Department educates the public against the evils of corruption and enlists public support in combating corruption.
• International Cooperation and Corporate Services Department undertakes international and Mainland liaison and capacity building programmes, the Secretariat of International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities, and provides comprehensive corporate services support to the Commission as a whole.