ICAC Response Statement
2002-5-19
In regard to the ICAC arrest of the three police officers including a Senior Superintendent of Police, the Commission issued a press statement on Saturday in response to numerous press enquiries. The senior police management has been briefed on the detail s of the allegations concerned and the action taken against the arrested police officers.
The purpose of issuing press statements is to inform the public of the nature of ICAC operations, which are often conducted in public places. It is the Commission's standing policy that the name of a suspect will not be released until he/she has been char ged.
At the present stage, we would not make any further comments in relation to this case, which is still ongoing.
All ICAC investigations originate from corruption allegations. And arrests are made in strict accordance with the laws.
There is a stringent system of checks and balances in place on ICAC investigations.
After an investigation has been completed, a report will be submitted to the Department of Justice, which advises on whether there should be prosecution.
If the case is not subject to prosecution or caution on legal advice, a report on the case will be submitted to the Operations Review Committee (ORC) for its advice on whether the case should be further pursued. With the consent of the ORC, a copy of the report will be forwarded to the Head of Department concerned for consideration of administrative/disciplinary action. The officer who has been the subject of the investigation will also be informed of the outcome of the investigation.
The ICAC also regularly briefs the ORC on the progress of major investigations. Any investigations exceeding 12 months and any persons on ICAC bail for over 6 months are subject to regular reporting to the ORC.
The ICAC attaches great importance to partnership with the Police in the fight against corruption. There have been a number of successful joint operations with the Police in the past.
Meanwhile, we would like to emphasize that there has not been any deterioration of corruption involving the Police.
It is our practice that if any police officer is involved in ICAC operations, the Commission will brief the senior police management, and keep them informed of the progress. For those cases which involve police officers but do not result in any legal act ion, a report will also be given to the Police normally via the ORC.
We will also liaise with the Police to ascertain what the cases which concerned them are, as mentioned in their statement issued today, and will provide them with a full update on such cases including the latest operation, with a view to dispelling any mi sunderstanding.
The purpose of issuing press statements is to inform the public of the nature of ICAC operations, which are often conducted in public places. It is the Commission's standing policy that the name of a suspect will not be released until he/she has been char ged.
At the present stage, we would not make any further comments in relation to this case, which is still ongoing.
All ICAC investigations originate from corruption allegations. And arrests are made in strict accordance with the laws.
There is a stringent system of checks and balances in place on ICAC investigations.
After an investigation has been completed, a report will be submitted to the Department of Justice, which advises on whether there should be prosecution.
If the case is not subject to prosecution or caution on legal advice, a report on the case will be submitted to the Operations Review Committee (ORC) for its advice on whether the case should be further pursued. With the consent of the ORC, a copy of the report will be forwarded to the Head of Department concerned for consideration of administrative/disciplinary action. The officer who has been the subject of the investigation will also be informed of the outcome of the investigation.
The ICAC also regularly briefs the ORC on the progress of major investigations. Any investigations exceeding 12 months and any persons on ICAC bail for over 6 months are subject to regular reporting to the ORC.
The ICAC attaches great importance to partnership with the Police in the fight against corruption. There have been a number of successful joint operations with the Police in the past.
Meanwhile, we would like to emphasize that there has not been any deterioration of corruption involving the Police.
It is our practice that if any police officer is involved in ICAC operations, the Commission will brief the senior police management, and keep them informed of the progress. For those cases which involve police officers but do not result in any legal act ion, a report will also be given to the Police normally via the ORC.
We will also liaise with the Police to ascertain what the cases which concerned them are, as mentioned in their statement issued today, and will provide them with a full update on such cases including the latest operation, with a view to dispelling any mi sunderstanding.