The iris recognition system of the Barrier Gate border checkpoint’s identification check system has been open for registration since Monday, Public Security Police (PSP) Commissioner Ng Kam Wa reaffirmed yesterday, adding that the police have received 2,644 applications in just two days.
Ng pointed out that prior to fully setting up iris recognition systems at the city’s six border checkpoints, a range of measures were carried out, including stress testing and getting feedback from the community associations whose members were invited to undergo an iris test in order to improve the facilities, after which iris tests for registered residents will get off the ground.
Ng underlined that fingerprint clearance facilities will not be removed even when the iris recognition systems are fully operational.
Police probe over 2,000 cases with help of citywide CCTV cameras: Wong
Meanwhile, Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak noted yesterday that in the first six months of this year, the Public Security Forces’ citywide CCTV surveillance system assisted the police in investigating 2,482 cases, including violent crimes such as robbery, homicide and arson, among other criminal cases.
Wong pointed out that during the current installation of the sixth phase of the CCTV surveillance system, he expected 680 more cameras to be installed across Macau.
Wong and Ng made the remarks during a press conference about Macau’s 2023 first-quarter crime statistics, at the S. Francisco Barracks.
Govt promises to optimise police-media notification mechanism
Meanwhile, in response to the recent concern by the public about the effectiveness of the notification mechanism between the Public Security Police (PSP) and the media, Wong and Ng promised to optimise the relevant mechanism, including the promptness, objectivity and completeness of information provided by the police, adding that they will also enhance the training of their media relations officers, in order to improve their awareness, sensitivity and operational skills so that they will be more efficient and accurate in the processing of information distributed to the media. Ng underlined that each response by press officers must be based on the premise of not affecting the ongoing investigations and relevant laws.
Responding to online media that accused the police of deliberately concealing two reported traffic accidents, Wong said: “Since I took office as secretary, I have always placed great emphasis on proactive policing, community policing and public relations policing”, admitting that, concerning the two cases, during the implementation of the notification mechanism by the PSP there were problems with the internal notification procedures, including that some PSP chiefs failed to report both cases to their superiors in a timely manner.
Wong added that the distribution of information by the police about serious cases should be more complete, timely and accurate, especially when it involves situations that could cause social panic, such as injuries involving children, senior citizens, people with disabilities, law enforcement officers, or those caused by law enforcement vehicles.
In one of the cases, a motorcyclist collided with a police vehicle whose driver had run a red light. In the other case, a driver crashed his car into the kerb near Hotel Lisboa after dangerous driving and speeding.
Public Security Police (PSP) Commissioner Ng Kam Wa speaks during yesterday’s press conference about Macau’s 2023 first-quarter crime statistics at the S. Francisco Barracks. – Photo: Yuki Lei
