Custodial and detention management of the Hong Kong Police Force
Detention management
Referring to paragraph 11 of the Administration’s paper, Mr CHAN Chun-ying asked whether the police stations in which improvement works to detention facilities had been completed met the latest requirements. He also asked whether there was a timetable for improvement of detention facilities in the remaining police stations.
S for S responded that after conducting a review on detention facilities in 2008, the Police had carried out improvement works to detention facilities in police stations to enhance security and better protect the rights and privacy of detainees, having regard to impact on frontline operations. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Support) (Acting) (“ACP(SUP)(Atg)”) added that improvement works to the detention facilities of three police stations had commenced in 2010. These included the installation of air-conditioners and retrofitting of polycarbonate gates and walls at temporary holding areas and detention cells with a view to reducing the likelihood of detainees committing suicide. The Police had also commenced site inspections as well as layout designs for four other police stations and included five other police stations in the next phase of improvement programme.
Proposed implementation details of the Registered Fire Engineer Scheme
Scope of premises covered under the Registered Fire Engineer Scheme
Referring to the Annex to the Administration’s paper, Mr CHAN Chun-ying asked whether the Administration had any plan to include mini-storages under licensed premises covered under the RFE Scheme.
S for S responded that after the RFE Scheme had been implemented for two years, the Administration would conduct a review on the scheme, including the subject of whether there would be a need to expand the scope of premises covered under the RFE Scheme.
Fire safety risk assessment and certification for the licensing of premises under the Registered Fire Engineer Scheme
Noting that the Fire Services Department (“FSD”) would conduct audit inspections of at least 70% of the certification completed at the initial stage of implementation of the RFE Scheme, Mr CHAN Chun-ying asked whether such a percentage would be lowered in future.
S for S responded that consideration would be given to lowering the percentage subject to the operational experience of the RFE Scheme.
Other issues
Mr CHAN Chun-ying asked whether an RFE would be criminally liable for failure to discover false or misleading information provided by a contractor.
S for S responded that generally speaking, whether a person would be criminally liable for an act would be subject to, among other factors, whether there was an element of mens rea behind his act.