Police Negotiation Cadre eyes AI and global cooperation to boost city-wide support: Police chief

The Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC) has evolved into a robust team of over 100 members dedicated to assisting in a wide range of social situations, Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming stated during the unit’s 50th-anniversary symposium.

To mark the occasion, the PNC is hosting a two-day symposium and exhibition,  bringing together over 500 crisis negotiation experts around the globe to share expertise and discuss future collaborations in crisis management.

The first day of discussions focused on crisis strategy with both mainland and international experts, while tomorrow’s agenda will explore campus support networks, youth suicide prevention, and the role of AI in negotiations.

In his opening address, Chow emphasized that the PNC has become an essential component of the force’s crisis response, providing round-the-clock support since its establishment in 1975.

The unit’s service spans counter-terrorism, major criminal cases, and suicide interventions, he added.

He praised the unit’s 105 members for their calm analysis, communication skills, and teamwork, which have saved lives over the past half-century.

Chow also pointed to the PNC’s recent cross-sector collaborations, such as partnering with the Education Bureau, Hospital Authority, and social service organizations to boost campus crisis preparedness and student mental resilience.

In response to a post-pandemic rise in youth suicides, he noted that the unit has intensified its efforts in collaboration with schools to strengthen crisis intervention, guided by psychiatric professionals.

Following the opening ceremony, commanding officer of PNC Liauw Ka-kei will lead a panel with representatives from Singapore, Indonesia, Dubai, and Switzerland, sharing insights on strengthening international cooperation in crisis negotiation.

A special 50th-anniversary exhibition is also on display, featuring historical photos, commemorative items, and case files that illustrate the unit’s contributions, alongside operational tools such as remote-controlled recording robots and surveillance drones.