THE new chairwoman of the controversial Police Complaints Committee (PCC) yesterday pledged to seek ways of strengthening its independence and impartiality.
But Executive Councillor Ms Rosanna Wong Yick-ming stopped short of criticising the current system, under which the PCC can only review completed files of the force's Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO).
Ms Wong was picked by the Governor, Mr Chris Patten, to replace outgoing chairman Dr Daniel Tse Chi-wai, one of five new appointments to the committee.
She takes over at a time of concern as the committee is thought to be too weak, unable to instigate investigations of its own, hear appeals or interview witnesses.
Describing the present system as ''not unacceptable'', Ms Wong said she was most concerned at the way her committee monitored files to ensure impartiality.
She said she was aware of concerns among Legislative Council Security Panel members and pledged she would look at the committee's overall powers, including the ability to interview complainants.
Public perception of the PCC and the number of cases withdrawn, not sustained or pursuable, would also be examined.
