CSD Graduates Honored for Upholding Rule of Law

SJ reviews CSD passing-out parade

​The Correctional Services Department (CSD) held a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Academy today (August 2). The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, reviewed the parade, marking the graduation of 30 Officers and 130 Assistant Officers II.

At the parade, the CSD Guard of Honour and passing-out correctional officers assembled to form the abbreviation of the Department "CSD" and two Chinese characters of "the rule of law" during a foot drill demonstration, symbolising their devotion to Hong Kong and determination to uphold the rule of law. They also assembled to form a two-layer shield pattern, symbolising that the Hong Kong National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance will continue to uphold the principles of the rule of law and effectively prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities endangering national security, thereby safeguarding the country and Hong Kong.

Speaking at the parade, Mr Lam said that the CSD shoulders the important missions of safeguarding national security and upholding the rule of law, and is committed to ensuring the overall stability of Hong Kong society. With the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, offenders involved in the black-clad violence in 2019 have been arrested and sentenced. Thanks to the fearless efforts by a team of professional and well-trained correctional officers in preventing and combatting illicit activities inside correctional institutions, Hong Kong has achieved a major transition from chaos to order and restored social stability.

He said that the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance which came into effect in March this year empowers the Commissioner of Correctional Services to act as a gatekeeper regarding the granting of remission of persons in custody (PICs) convicted of offences endangering national security, which reflects the importance of the CSD in safeguarding national security and upholding Hong Kong's rule of law.

Mr Lam commended the CSD for actively launching a series of new rehabilitation services to assist PICs to smoothly reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens. For instance, the Ethics College was set up in Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution and Lo Wu Correctional Institution last October to provide a one-year full-time Diploma of Applied Education Programme for enrolment by adult PICs and help them develop law-abiding awareness and good characters.

He also recognised the CSD's efforts in promoting anti-crime and community education to instil in young people proper values and disseminate the messages of safeguarding the country and home, leading a law-abiding and drug-free life and supporting offender rehabilitation, so that they will become responsible and law-abiding citizens. The CSD has also conducted a course on the criminal justice system recognised under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework for trainees of its youth uniformed group, the Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders, to cultivate them as a law-abiding young generation.

Mr Lam encouraged the passing-out correctional officers to rise up to challenges with courage, and be strongly committed, highly disciplined and staunchly devoted to duties, as well as continuing to uphold the rule of law and work in unison for the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong and making contribution to the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems".

During the parade, Mr Lam presented the Principal's Shield to Officer Ms Yung Hing-yuen; and the Golden Whistle to six Assistant Officers II, namely Mr Ho Chun-ngai, Ms Lim Yuet-pan, Mr Choy Ho-yiu, Mr Lam Yu-lok, Mr Ngan Chi-ming and Mr Ng Hok-hin, for their outstanding performance in the recruit training.

SJ reviews CSD passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ reviews CSD passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ reviews CSD passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ reviews CSD passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ reviews CSD passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SJ reviews CSD passing-out parade Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government sets up inter-departmental dedicated investigation team to investigate business suspension of chain fitness and beauty group

The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is highly concerned about the temporary business suspension announced by a chain fitness and beauty group on September 6. An inter-departmental dedicated investigation team has been set up with a view to handling the cases as soon as possible.

Hong Kong Customs and the Police will conduct intensive investigation into offences under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) with respect to the unfair trade practices and whether other criminal offences are involved respectively. Should there be any violation found, the authorities will take appropriate enforcement action.

As of 4pm today (September 10), Customs and the Police had received 733 and 19 complaints respectively regarding the chain group concerned.

Customs appeals to consumers who have purchased fitness or beauty services from the chain group to contact Customs as soon as possible.Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services at reputable shops and consider prudently before making decisions for consumption with prepayment. After purchasing services, they should keep the relevant records, such as transaction receipts and contracts, which can become basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future.

Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

In response to the above incident, the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Police has set up a task force to investigate into the fraud and false statement offences. The police urge members of the public to report any relevant information to the Police's 24-hour hotline 2860 5012.

Source: AI-generated images