The Hong Kong Police College has become the first government department to offer a bachelor’s degree programme, with the force set to roll out the course for rank-and-file officers by the end of this year.
Commissioner of Police Joe Chow Yat-ming announced the development on Saturday, after the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications approved the college’s Bachelor of Policing (Honours) (Security and Criminal Investigation) programme last month.
“We hope that the programme can start by the end of this year. Students will take around three to four years to complete it. With this bachelor’s degree, they can sign up for master’s courses if they are interested,” he said after attending a passing-out parade at the college in Wong Chuk Hang.
He said the programme, which is free, would target rank-and-file officers.
The curriculum will cover foundation and criminal investigation training, internships including frontline patrols, and language courses. Students will also be expected to complete a thematic report before graduating.
“The Police College has become an institution that can confer a bachelor’s degree, and it is also the first government department that is qualified to do so,” Chow said.