ICAC enhances professional training for investigators to outsmart criminals
2006-5-1
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) must continue to enhance professional training for its investigators to "outsmart" criminals in combatting increasingly sophisticated corruption crimes, said ICAC's Head of Operations, Mr Daniel Li Ming -chak.
To tackle complex corruption cases, the ICAC's Financial Investigation Section last year conducted 140 assignments in financial analysis and asset tracing, involving 1,160 transactions totalling $6.25 billion.
Another specialist group - the Computer Forensic Section - had its case load increased three-fold last year compared to six years ago when the section was established. It completed 538 computer data analysis last year.
Continuous training in financial investigation, computer analysis and forensics, as well as experience sharing with overseas law enforcement agencies would sharpen officers' investigative edge, said Mr Li in the " Zooming In " programme on the ICAC Channel.
In recent years, investigating officers were sent to take part in a number of local and overseas training programmes, including courses on financial investigation hosted by law enforcement agencies in Thailand and Singapore and attachment programmes at th e Metropolitan Police London.
Mr Li added that the Operations Department would benefit from more comprehensive training facilities with the completion of the ICAC's new headquarters building next year.
Meanwhile, the Commission will host the third ICAC Symposium in early May, providing a global forum for cementing co-operation and experience sharing between law enforcement agencies and related organisations the world over.
On the current corruption situation, Mr Li said, the civil service in Hong Kong was largely clean. Cases cracked by the ICAC only revealed individual civil servants who yielded to the temptation of graft.
"However, it is impossible to wipe out corruption completely especially in a highly commercialized city and an international financial centre like Hong Kong.
"We will continue to combat vigorously corruption cases in the business and finance sectors to maintain Hong Kong's reputation as a clean city," said Mr Li.
The ICAC received 3,685 corruption reports in 2005, representing a 2% decrease from 2004. In the first quarter this year, a total of 820 reports were received, of which 288 concerned government departments, 473 related to the private sector and 59 were a gainst public bodies.
"Our experience showed that in times of economic prosperity, there should be more corruption opportunities but the number of reports might not increase accordingly.
"Conversely, the number of reports might rise with a sluggish economy because people felt more frustrated.
"Nonetheless, the ICAC will remain vigilant against all kinds of corrupt activities, regardless of the economic situation," Mr Li said.
Mr Li, who has served in the ICAC for almost 30 years, noted that like many young people in his days, he was driven by a sense of mission in joining the Commission as an investigator. "What makes an outstanding investigator is his ability and perseveranc e to find out the truth."
"After three decades of hard work, Hong Kong has evolved from being a city plagued with rampant corruption to one of the world's cleanest places. We at the ICAC will spare no effort to safeguard this valuable asset," Mr Li stressed.
To tackle complex corruption cases, the ICAC's Financial Investigation Section last year conducted 140 assignments in financial analysis and asset tracing, involving 1,160 transactions totalling $6.25 billion.
Another specialist group - the Computer Forensic Section - had its case load increased three-fold last year compared to six years ago when the section was established. It completed 538 computer data analysis last year.
Continuous training in financial investigation, computer analysis and forensics, as well as experience sharing with overseas law enforcement agencies would sharpen officers' investigative edge, said Mr Li in the " Zooming In " programme on the ICAC Channel.
In recent years, investigating officers were sent to take part in a number of local and overseas training programmes, including courses on financial investigation hosted by law enforcement agencies in Thailand and Singapore and attachment programmes at th e Metropolitan Police London.
Mr Li added that the Operations Department would benefit from more comprehensive training facilities with the completion of the ICAC's new headquarters building next year.
Meanwhile, the Commission will host the third ICAC Symposium in early May, providing a global forum for cementing co-operation and experience sharing between law enforcement agencies and related organisations the world over.
On the current corruption situation, Mr Li said, the civil service in Hong Kong was largely clean. Cases cracked by the ICAC only revealed individual civil servants who yielded to the temptation of graft.
"However, it is impossible to wipe out corruption completely especially in a highly commercialized city and an international financial centre like Hong Kong.
"We will continue to combat vigorously corruption cases in the business and finance sectors to maintain Hong Kong's reputation as a clean city," said Mr Li.
The ICAC received 3,685 corruption reports in 2005, representing a 2% decrease from 2004. In the first quarter this year, a total of 820 reports were received, of which 288 concerned government departments, 473 related to the private sector and 59 were a gainst public bodies.
"Our experience showed that in times of economic prosperity, there should be more corruption opportunities but the number of reports might not increase accordingly.
"Conversely, the number of reports might rise with a sluggish economy because people felt more frustrated.
"Nonetheless, the ICAC will remain vigilant against all kinds of corrupt activities, regardless of the economic situation," Mr Li said.
Mr Li, who has served in the ICAC for almost 30 years, noted that like many young people in his days, he was driven by a sense of mission in joining the Commission as an investigator. "What makes an outstanding investigator is his ability and perseveranc e to find out the truth."
"After three decades of hard work, Hong Kong has evolved from being a city plagued with rampant corruption to one of the world's cleanest places. We at the ICAC will spare no effort to safeguard this valuable asset," Mr Li stressed.