香港政府於1974年成立專責打擊貪污的獨立機構 — 廉政公署，為香港肅貪史奠下重要的里程碑。
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was set up in 1974 to tackle corruption, marking a milestone in Hong Kong’s anti-corruption history.
早於1898年，政府制定《輕罪懲罰條例》，將賄賂列為違法行為。該條例於1948年被《防止貪污條例》取代，由警務處反貪污部負責執行。政府於1971年5月制定《防止賄賂條例》，在《防止貪污條例》的基礎上擴大懲治範圍、加重刑罰和賦予警方更大的權力偵查貪污案件。
As early as 1898, bribery was made an offence with the enactment of the Misdemeanours Punishment Ordinance. Replaced by the Prevention of Corruption Ordinance in 1948, the legislation was enforced by the Anti-Corruption Office of the Police Force. In May 1971, the Ordinance was further strengthened with new offences, heavier penalties and stronger investigative powers to become the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance of today.
1973年6月，一名總警司涉嫌貪污，在接受反貪污部調查期間潛逃離港。當時的總督麥理浩勳爵委派一個特別調查委員會，研究該宗事件、檢討反貪法例的效用及就有關法律提出修訂建議。基於委員會的調查結果及社會的訴求，總督決定設立一個獨立的反貪機構，令本港的反貪污工作進入新紀元。
In June 1973, a police chief superintendent fled Hong Kong while under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Office. The then Governor, Lord Murray MacLehose, appointed a Commission of Inquiry to look into the circumstances of the case, advise on the effectiveness of the anti-corruption laws and suggest possible amendments. In response to the findings of the Commission of Inquiry and prevailing public opinion, the Governor set up an independent organisation to tackle corruption, heralding a new era in the fight against corruption.
《廉政公署條例》於1974年2月15日生效，廉政公署於同日成立。廉政公署並不隸屬公務員架構，廉政專員直接向香港特別行政區行政長官負責。廉政公署透過有效執法、教育及預防的「三管齊下」策略維護公平公正的社會。
The ICAC was established on February 15, 1974, with the enactment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance. The Commission is independent of the civil service and the Commissioner is answerable directly to the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The ICAC is committed to fighting corruption through a three-pronged strategy of effective law enforcement, education and prevention to maintain Hong Kong as a fair and just society.
廉政公署下設三個部門，分別是執行處、防止貪污處和社區關係處。截至2014年底，廉政公署編制共設有1 446個職位。
The ICAC comprises three functional departments: Operations, Corruption Prevention and Community Relations. As at the end of 2014, the Commission had an establishment of 1 446 posts.
廉政公署的工作由四個獨立諮詢委員會嚴密監察，委員會成員為社會知名人士，並由非官方人士出任主席。貪污問題諮詢委員會就廉政公署的政策及本港貪污問題提供意見；審查貪污舉報諮詢委員會負責審查和監察廉政公署的調查工作；防止貪污諮詢委員會審視廉政公署就政府部門、公共機構及私營機構的工作常規及程序作出的防貪建議，以減少貪污舞弊的機會；社區關係市民諮詢委員會則就如何教育市民貪污的禍害，以及策動市民支持反貪工作，提出建議。
The work of the ICAC is closely scrutinised by four independent committees comprising leading citizens as members and non-officials as chairmen. The Advisory Committee on Corruption advises on Commission-wide policies and issues. The Operations Review Committee examines and monitors all ICAC investigations. The Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee oversees the work in enhancing practices and procedures to minimise opportunities for corruption. The Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations advises on measures to foster public support in combating corruption and to educate the public against the evils of corruption.
此外，獨立的廉政公署事宜投訴委員會則負責審查市民對廉政公署或該署人員所作的投訴、監察處理投訴的工作及建議廉政專員採取適當的跟進行動。
An independent ICAC Complaints Committee examines complaints against the ICAC or its staff, monitors the handing of complaints and advises on follow-up actions.