For discussion
on 5 November 1998

Legislative Council Panel on Security
Police Information Systems Strategy

Purpose

This paper informs Members of the Information Systems Strategy being implemented in the Police Force and its future development.

Background

2. The current five-year Information Systems Strategy (ISS) of the Police Force was implemented in 1993 and is scheduled to be completed by mid-1999. The Finance Committee approved a total of $355.77 million for implementing the ISS. The ISS identified a total of 26 new computer systems for implementation. (Please see Annex for details)

3. The implementation of the current ISS has enhanced the efficiency of the Police Force by streamlining procedures and facilitating sharing of information. It has brought about the following improvements in services provided to the public -
  1. improving success in crime detection through enhancing the fingerprint matching process, improving the identification of suspects' photos and facilitating fast retrieval of criminal records;

  2. releasing more Police officers from office/station duties to front-line operational duties;

  3. shortening the waiting time for making lost and found reports; reducing the time for processing bail and charges; and shortening the processing time for licence applications; and

  4. shortening the processing time for traffic accident enquiries and the time for compiling statistics on traffic accidents.
4. It is anticipated that about 580 posts can be saved upon completion of the current ISS. The estimated savings in total annual staff costs are over $210 million. Up to 1 August 1998, staff savings of 515 posts involving about $182 million per annum have been achieved.

Information Systems Strategy Review

5. Since the implementation of the current ISS, there have been substantial changes in the environment that the Police Force operates -
  1. new legislation introduced by the Government;

  2. higher expectation from the public and Police officers on the operation of the Police Force; and

  3. new opportunities arising from technological advance.
6. It is important for the Police Force to keep in pace with technological advancement and to respond to changes in a proactive manner. The Police have therefore recently commissioned a consultancy to conduct a review of the current ISS. The review is expected to complete in April 1999. The thrust of the review is to enable front-line Police officers to have greater online access to the Police Force's information systems, thereby enhancing efficiency of operations.

7. Specifically, the following areas will be covered in the review -
  1. the information requirements of the strategic business areas including the related support services of the Police Force;

  2. information technology related services, infrastructure and facilities in the Police Force;

  3. potential new information systems needed to meet the strategic directions of the Police Force; and

  4. issues that need to be considered in implementing the ISS including training, culture, internal communication and service quality.
8. We expect the following benefits can be achieved through further extension of the ISS -
  1. front-line officers will have easy and immediate access to useful information which will help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service to the public. For example, at the scene of a major fire outbreak, Police officers will be able to check with the command and control centre database as to casualties, persons missing and fatalities immediately;

  2. stop-and-search and stop-and-question activities will be conducted far more quickly - it will be possible to conduct wanted and missing person checks etc. instantaneously - reducing inconvenience and hence complaints; and

  3. it will be possible in future for members of the public to make reports of crime and incidents to patrolling Police officers and for those reports to be input into the relevant database on the spot. Such reports are currently noted manually and then entered into the database by the Police officer either on return to the station or reported by radio. These arrangements are not efficient.
Conclusion

9. We will continue to explore the feasibility of applying modern technology to the Police's daily work to ensure that the Police Force is well-equipped to tackle the increasing sophisticated criminal activities in an efficient and effective manner.

Security Bureau
October 1998

Annex

PROGRESS SUMMARY
OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY PROJECTS
AS AT 17-10-1998

SystemCurrent Status
(A) Communal Information Systems
1. Formation Information Communal SystemLIVE
2. Regional Information Communal SystemLIVE
3. Headquarters Information Communal SystemIn Development
(B) Force Criminal Investigation Support Systems
4. Computer Assisted Fingerprint Identification System Phase IILIVE
5. Commercial Crime Fraud Investigation SystemLIVE
6. Facial IdentificationIn Development
7. Photo AlbumIn Development
8. Modus Operandi Computer SystemLIVE
9. Extension of Major Incident Investigation & Disaster Support SystemDeleted *
10. Records Management SystemIn Development
(C) Force Operational Support Systems
11. Traffic Operations & Management SystemIn Development
12. Transport Management Information SystemIn Development
13. Central Licensing and RegistrationIn Development
14. Force MappingLIVE
(D) Force Administrational Support Systems
15. Personnel Information Communal SystemLIVE
16. Accounting & Financial Management SystemLIVE
17. Allowance Processing SystemLIVE
18. Leave Recording SystemLIVE
(E) Free Standing Systems
19. Police Training School Exam MarkingLIVE
20. Police Stores SystemIn Development
21. Marine Police Launch Management SystemPart of Government
Fleet Information
System of Marine Department
22. Auxiliary Police Management SystemLIVE
23. Security WingLIVE
24. Planning & Development BranchLIVE
(F) Police Data Communication Network
25. Police Data NetworkLIVE
26. Police E-mail NetworkLIVE


* Upon further examination, it is considered that the present system has capacity to cope with existing and projected demand. System Current Status