Force takes action to avoid operational errors

POLICE are drawing up a policy on security technology to ensure that any state-of-the-art equipment they buy actually meets their needs.

Instead of a piecemeal approach by various sections, the police committee aims to drawing up a policy consistent and compatible within the force.

An ad hoc group member, Detective Superintendent Graham Lander of the Crime Prevention Bureau, said the policy could prevent a situation in which choice of technology and equipment was incompatible with existing systems.

He said that the working committee would submit recommendations to the chiefs-of-staff and that one suggestion was likely to be a permanent advisory committee to prevent operational mistakes.

''Obviously, the force would not want to see spending further on technology plans which can't interface with existing systems. We want to be one step ahead to prevent potential problems.

''This is important as we have so many projects coming up such as the new Marine Police headquarters, an extension to the present police headquarters and the new airport police station at Chek Lap Kok,'' he said.

The working group was set up last November to co-ordinate various police sections working on cost-effective use of hi-tech security products.

Mr Lander said that from the security point of view, it was not necessary to buy a very costly surveillance camera to watch the police station yard at night.

''Why do we need $40,000 to buy a security camera which can work in darkness? All we need to do is to buy a $5,000 camera with lighting of the station yard improved. Lighting is the cheapest way of improving security,'' he said.

The group is also studying various access control systems for about 50 police stations.

It is discussing the feasibility of having computer readers and cards to replace door locks and keys to tighten up security.

Final proposals are expected to be submitted to the force management this summer.