Hong Kong Photo Gallery - ICAC HQ Open Day

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was set up in 1974 due to rampant corruption in the public sector, especially the police force. With rapid economic expansion in the 1960s and 70s and the government unable to meet social needs, corruption became rampant as people sought a backdoor to get what they need or get away with what they've done.
From paying hospital staff to get water to bribing officials when applying for public housing, things boiled over when the Chief Police Superintendent fled the city in 1973 as his source of wealth was being investigated. Protests forced the government to act and the ICAC was set up.
Its 25-storey new headquarters in North Point's waterfront opened in 2007, which includes a detention centre, video interview rooms, and training facilities.
In early 2019, they held an open day where visitors could see some of its facilities and learn more about their work in keeping the city's dealings clean as it celebrated its 45th anniversary. Suspects taken in for interrogation were referred to as being invited for a "cup of coffee".

The Yau Ma Tei fruit market was at the centre of a heroin syndicate scandal in the 1970s which involved corruption of law enforcement officers. 87 police officers were arrested in 1977, and an outcry from the police force prompted the governor to issue a partial amnesty.

This 3-sided table is the primary feature in the interview room. The shape was chosen as a rectangular table seemed too distant from the suspect, while a round table was deemed too close, like a family dinner. Officers sit on the triangular edges.

The interview rooms are taped with several cameras. The suspect gets a copy of the recording while another copy is sealed for future court appearance.

A one-sided mirror keeps witnesses safe when they try to identify the suspects. To identify 1 suspect, additional actors need to fill in the other spots.


The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was set up in 1974 due to rampant corruption in the public sector, especially the police force. With rapid economic expansion in the 1960s and 70s and the government unable to meet social needs, corruption became rampant as people sought a backdoor to get what they need or get away with what they've done. From paying hospital staff to get water to bribing officials when applying for public housing, things boiled over when the Chief Police Superintendent fled the city in 1973 as his source of wealth was being investigated. Protests forced the government to act and the ICAC was set up. Its 25-storey new headquarters in North Point's waterfront opened in 2007, which includes a detention centre, video interview rooms, and training facilities. In early 2019, they held an open day where visitors could see some of its facilities and learn more about their work in keeping the city's dealings clean as it celebrated its 45th anniversary. Suspects taken in for interrogation were referred to as being invited for a "cup of coffee". The Yau Ma Tei fruit market was at the centre of a heroin syndicate scandal in the 1970s which involved corruption of law enforcement officers. 87 police officers were arrested in 1977, and an outcry from the police force prompted the governor to issue a partial amnesty. This 3-sided table is the primary feature in the interview room. The shape was chosen as a rectangular table seemed too distant from the suspect, while a round table was deemed too close, like a family dinner. Officers sit on the triangular edges. The interview rooms are taped with several cameras. The suspect gets a copy of the recording while another copy is sealed for future court appearance. A one-sided mirror keeps witnesses safe when they try to identify the suspects. To identify 1 suspect, additional actors need to fill in the other spots.

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