PERSONNEL
In his Christmas message, the Commissioner remarked that 1976 had been "a year of vigorous effort and significant progress for the Force".
This was true of many spheres of activity, but particularly true in the recruitment field where Force efforts produced a net increase of 1,116, comprising 112 officers and 1,004 constables. While these figures are encouraging, they fall short of requirements - a fact which, in part, is a reflection of increasing competition from other employment markets. This is a matter for special concern, given the Force's expansion plans. This area, therefore, continued to be viewed as a top priority, including the need to maintain an attractive career package and to employ effective recruit- ment and retention strategies.
At the beginning of 1976, the establishment of the Force was 16,025 all ranks. During the year this was increased by 1,352 posts through the creation of a training reserve of 1,000 officers and increases in the Criminal Investigation Department. Force strength at the end of the year stood at 16,234, including 1,540 women, leaving a deficiency of 864, or five per cent, all ranks against the authorised establishment.
A significant feature of recruiting was the continuing trend of young people with upper secondary education (Forms III-V) seeking appointment as constables. They accounted for 79 per cent of all recruits at this rank. Of these, 222 were fully academically qualified for considera- tion as recruit inspectors, but opted to join as constables.
The setting up of a training reserve will assist con- siderably in off-setting deficiencies in the field created by an average of some six per cent of Force strength being engaged in training activities at any one time.
The responsibility for the policy, administration and co-ordination of all aspects of personnel with which this chapter deals falls to the Personnel Wing of Police Head- quarters under the direction of the Commander/Personnel who, in turn, is responsible to the Director of Personnel and Support. The wing undertakes a wide range of func- tions from the routine allocation of quarters to the formula- tion of policy in respect of rank structure, promotions and so on. Training, career planning, staff relations and welfare feature prominently in the role of the wing.
Force
Tokyo (1975)
London Metropolitan (1975)
Population
Police
Ratio
11,674,316 40,267
1:290
7,379,014 26,628
1:277
The size of the Force establishment is monitored by the Force Establishment Committee which recommends varia- tions to the Government Secretariat, including proposals for civilianisation. The establishment is currently the subject of a comprehensive review.
Comparable establishment and strength figures for police officers for the last three years are:
Gazetted Officers Inspectorate Officers Rank and File
1974
1975
1976
Estab.
Str. Estab.
Str. Estab.
Str.
211 198 208 196 224 209
1,290 1,130 1,286 1,161 1,419 1,278
14,713* 12,856 14,683*13,708 15,481*14,747
16,214 14,184 16,177 15,065 17,124 16,234
* Including posts under civilianisation experiment.
Of the 211 inspectors recruited during 1976 there were 102 locally recruited, including 23 women; 109 were recruited overseas, including six women; and 28 were promoted from the Rank and File. The majority of overseas officers were recruited from the United Kingdom, but 13 were from Australia and New Zealand.
Of the 1,604 constables who entered the training school, 116 were former cadets. The age range of recruits was: inspectorate rank, from 18 to 32 with an average age of 23; and constable rank, from 17 to 29 with an average age of 20.
The services of 813 police officers (five per cent of the strength) were lost during the year. Resignations increased by 35.7 per cent compared with 1975. In the case of constables, most resignations occur within the first three years of service. The wastage is illustrated in the following table:
Establishment and strength
The establishment of the Force at the end of the year was 17,124 police officers and 3,534 civilian staff, compared with 16,025 and 3,186 at the end of 1975. This represented increases of six per cent and 10 per cent respectively. Strength at the end of the year was 16,234 police officers and 3,067 civilian staff against 15,140 and 2,859 at the end of 1975.
The establishment of the Force represents a ratio of one police officer to every 261 population. This ratio may be viewed against the police forces in Tokyo and London:
Death
Dismissal
Retirement
Resignation Invaliding Termination
of service Transfer
Senior Officers
Over-
seas Local NCOs Insp.
Insp. and PCs
Total
-manm |
49
1+59+2
13
15
2
65
74
20
311
345
285
339
3
10
26
28
1
1
2
18
66
25
704
813
The more extensive deployment of women police follow- ing the integration of male and female establishments in 1974 continued. At the end of 1976, woman officers filled nearly 10 per cent of the Force strength. They performed, in the main, identical duties to those of their male counter-