Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy established

The Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy was officially inaugurated on January 27 at the former Cape Collinson Correctional Institution. 

With the motto of “Fusing East and West through tactics; Forging new heights through synergy,” the academy aims to promote the sharing of emergency response tactics and experiences among law enforcement agencies from different jurisdictions, thereby further enhancing the Correctional Services Department (CSD)’s collaboration with them and the professional capabilities of each other. 

The first cohort of 29 trainees from mainland China, Macau, Brunei, Fiji, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam began training immediately after the opening. A South Korean participant praised the Hong Kong instructors for their professionalism and enthusiasm, noting that the program was highly practical and directly applicable to daily work.

CSD Assistant Commissioner (Operations) Chan Siu-hang told Sing Tao Daily, the sister publication of The Standard, that the inaugural group had completed the Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics course. 

Accredited at Level 3 under Hong Kong’s Qualifications Framework, the program covers various self-defense and control techniques, including Tai Chi Safe Defense Techniques introduced by the department in earlier years. 

Chan Siu-hang explained that instructors are drawn from CSD’s Regional Response Team, all of whom have extensive experience and overseas training in areas such as self-defense, riot control, and weapons handling. 

To ensure professionalism, CSD has formed a cross-sectorial expert advisory panel including experts in sports medicine, Chinese medicine, physiotherapy, and martial arts.

He added that instructor training programs will be introduced gradually, enabling graduates to deliver similar training within their own institutions. Another round of international participation is expected mid-year.

“We hope to collaborate with institutions from different regions to jointly enhance riot control tactics and the ability to manage incarcerated individuals,” he said.

The academy offers not only specialized training facilities but also realistic correctional environments for immersive tactical exercises. The first batch of 29 participants arrived in the city last month for tactical exchanges with the CSD’s Regional Response Team and the Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics course.

Kim Yoon-gwan, a South Korean correctional officer with over eight years of service, described the course as highly practical and valuable for daily duties. He noted that in his country, opportunities to apply control tactics are limited unless assigned to specialized units. Kim said the training in Hong Kong exposed him to global tactical approaches. He praised the instructors’ professionalism and said he would recommend the academy’s courses to colleagues upon returning home.

Academy instructor Chan Siu-ming highlighted that the program balances theory and practice, with trainees deliberately grouped across nationalities to foster cross-cultural exchange. This setup encourages participants to share their experiences in handling emergencies, collectively raising professional standards in correctional services, she said.

She noted that trainees showed strong interest in Tai Chi Safe Defense Techniques and tactical group exercises, particularly those conducted in realistic correctional settings, which enhanced engagement and immersion. 

Chan commended the first cohort for their proactive attitude and extensive frontline experience, which allowed them to grasp the course content precisely.

International Trainees Embrace Tai Chi Safe Defense Techniques Training in Academy

Hong Kong’s Correctional Services Department has incorporated Tai Chi Safe Defense Techniques into its training since 2015, drawing on the traditional martial art’s principles of gentleness and low-impact control.

The program emphasizes using soft power to counter aggression and manage emergencies, aiming to reduce injuries for both officers and inmates.

The approach has been integrated into the Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics course at the Hong Kong International Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Academy, where instructors highlight its suitability for officers who are trained not to initiate attacks but to maintain order through restraint.

Instructor Chan Siu-ming said trainees have responded positively to the program, noting that the carefully designed movements allow officers to handle larger inmates while minimizing risk. To help non-Chinese participants, the course breaks down movements step by step, beginning with basic stances and breathing before progressing to detailed techniques and energy application. 

Chan acknowledged that many trainees initially struggled to relax, as they were accustomed to relying on brute force. To address this, she prepared extensive instructional videos and images and organized small group sessions for personalized guidance.

International participants praised the training’s effectiveness. South Korean trainee Kim said it was his first exposure to Tai Chi and found the experience refreshing and practical.

He emphasized that the techniques were particularly useful in dealing with inmates prone to violence, offering a safer alternative to forceful confrontation. 
Nurul Ramizah Binti Suhaili from Brunei’s correctional department added that Tai Chi not only provided workplace applications but also helped her remain calm and focused under pressure, maintaining clarity of thought in stressful environments.