Specialty Units
The Specialty Units are Units with 3 Prosecutors or more (one of whom must be of a rank of Senior Prosecutor or above) who provide advice and guidance on the investigations of specific categories of criminal offences by the Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEA). The concept of Specialty Units is underpinned by the Specialty Area Policy by which the ODPP ensures that the Police and the other LEA receive guidance and legal advice from the onset of their investigations from Prosecutors with some specialty in the particular area of the criminal offence being investigated.
The objectives of the Policy and the setting up of the Units are firstly, to assist proper and effective investigative efforts of the LEA with the requisite legal guidance and advice. Secondly, that in doing so, to ensure that the proper and admissible evidence capable of grounding a successful prosecution are obtained, while recognizing and preserving the rights of the suspects, victims and potentials witnesses concerned in the process. The Units are also expected to provide opportunity for mentoring of Junior Prosecutors and development of their skills and experience in the specialty areas.
A schedule of the Units, the Prosecutors in each Unit and their contact particulars are usually circulated to the relevant heads of the LEA. This enables the relevant LEA Unit to contact the specific Prosecutors directly, anytime including after work hours and week-ends with requests for assistance. The Units and the Prosecutors assigned to them are also subject to periodic review as may be warranted. These Units and brief explanation of their category of offences now follow:
SERIOUS CRIMES/FIREARM OFFENCES/HOMICIDE
Included under this Unit are Offences Against the Persons – including murder, manslaughter, Grievous Bodily Harm, Wounding, Robberies, Burglaries, Gun-related and other violent Offences. The Prosecutors of this Unit regularly advise the Serious Crime Unit and Tactical Unit of the RT&CIPS.
FINANCIAL CRIMES/ FRAUD/CYBERCRIMES/TF/PF
This Unit focus on all categories of financial crimes, including money Laundering, financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The Financial Crime Unit of the RT & CIPS, among others, are the major recipients of ODPP advice and guidance on these categories of offences.
CUSTOMS, FISHERIES AND DECR OFFENCES
This Unit generally advises and guides the Customs, Fisheries and DECR Departments in the enforcement of the relevant provisions of the respective laws under which illegal fishing, illegal importation/exportation as similar offences are investigated and prosecuted.
IMMIGRATION, HUMAN TRAFFICKING/ HUMAN SMUGGLING/ MODERN SLAVERY
This Unit now includes Immigration Offences to which offences of Human Trafficking and Smuggling and such like offences, are intricately connected. The offences under this category invariably have implications for national security and safety.
CORRUPTION AND BRIBERY OFFENCES
All forms of corruption and bribery by persons in public and private life, misconduct in public office and similar offences. The Unit majorly advises and guides the TCI Integrity Commission and other related Institutions that protecting good governance.
SEXUAL OFFENCES & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
This Unit now focuses on all sexual offences under the new Sexual Offences Ordinance of 2020 and all forms of domestic violence. This Unit works closely with the Public Safe Guarding and Safety of the RT & CIPS.
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
The Traffic Unit of the RT & CIPS is the main recipient of ODPP guidance and advice in this area, covering all Traffic Offences.