Commissioner of Police Dick Lee has formally opened the new Police College, which he says will help produce a new generation of officers able to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Speaking at the opening ceremony today, Mr Lee said the college is the force's new centre for training and developing officers with the professional ability and integrity to better serve the community.

"Our ultimate goal is to facilitate officers with a learning ladder that provides the steps to a culture of lifelong learning," he said.

Life-like: Commissioner of Police Dick Lee opens the Police College, a complex featuring settings like street corners and an MTR station platform for tactics training.

4-point model

The college has developed a four-point model to achieve training excellence - an enriched training syllabus; effective learning methodologies; enhanced training standards; and recognition or accreditation by universities and professional bodies.

The Open University will deliver two of the 15 modules of the recruit police constable foundation training course - Social Studies in Policing and Psychology in Policing.

Trainees completing the course will be awarded a Certificate in Law Enforcement and Security Management by the university.

This will not only enhance the professional standard and academic status of the course, but also provide trainees with pathways for further study, which is one of the major objectives of the college.