Ex-Assistant Officer of CSD charged by ICAC with MIPO over inmate’s access to confidential information
2023-9-26
A then Assistant Officer II of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) was charged by the ICAC today (September 26) with misconduct in public office (MIPO) for allegedly allowing an inmate to operate his staff handheld device for accessing confidential information to locate another inmate to obtain a cigarette.
Choi Ping-sun, 33, faces one count of MIPO, contrary to the Common Law. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (September 28) for plea.
The conduct of CSD officers and inmates is governed by the Prisons Ordinance and the Prison Rules, which prohibit CSD officers from conveying any unauthorised articles to inmates and communicating with inmates with an improper purpose.
At the material time, the defendant was an Assistant Officer II of the CSD posted to Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution (TGCI), a detention centre for male adult detainees.
While the defendant was on duty, he was issued a staff handheld device for accessing with his personal password CSD’s Integrated Custodial and Rehabilitation Management System which contained confidential information, including the personal particulars, profile pictures, case details and cell locations of inmates. Leakage of such information would pose security risks to TGCI.
The charge alleges that on May 1, 2022, the defendant, in the course of or in relation to his public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, wilfully misconducted himself.
The defendant allegedly allowed an inmate in solitary confinement to operate the defendant’s staff handheld device and to access confidential information stored in it to locate another inmate. It is also alleged the defendant located the inmate in another cell to obtain from him a cigarette, and brought it back to the first inmate upon the latter’s request.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the CSD, which had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Through education and publicity, the ICAC reminds law enforcement officers to maintain a high standard of integrity and abide by the law at all times, and should never partake in any corrupt and illegal activities so as to safeguard the effective operation of the criminal justice system.
Choi Ping-sun, 33, faces one count of MIPO, contrary to the Common Law. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (September 28) for plea.
The conduct of CSD officers and inmates is governed by the Prisons Ordinance and the Prison Rules, which prohibit CSD officers from conveying any unauthorised articles to inmates and communicating with inmates with an improper purpose.
At the material time, the defendant was an Assistant Officer II of the CSD posted to Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution (TGCI), a detention centre for male adult detainees.
While the defendant was on duty, he was issued a staff handheld device for accessing with his personal password CSD’s Integrated Custodial and Rehabilitation Management System which contained confidential information, including the personal particulars, profile pictures, case details and cell locations of inmates. Leakage of such information would pose security risks to TGCI.
The charge alleges that on May 1, 2022, the defendant, in the course of or in relation to his public office, without reasonable excuse or justification, wilfully misconducted himself.
The defendant allegedly allowed an inmate in solitary confinement to operate the defendant’s staff handheld device and to access confidential information stored in it to locate another inmate. It is also alleged the defendant located the inmate in another cell to obtain from him a cigarette, and brought it back to the first inmate upon the latter’s request.
The case arose from a corruption complaint referred by the CSD, which had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
Through education and publicity, the ICAC reminds law enforcement officers to maintain a high standard of integrity and abide by the law at all times, and should never partake in any corrupt and illegal activities so as to safeguard the effective operation of the criminal justice system.