elections for the executive and officers for the JPOA have just
ended and a preliminary assessment by the Hong Kong Government suggests that the relatively moderate element has been reasonably successful: this is largely because interdicted officers, who tended to be the most extreme, were not allowed to stand for
election.
Flag B
The Three-Man British Team
3. As a result of discussions during the Governor's
visit to London in December 1977, a three-man team of British Police experts, led by Mr Crane, went to Hong Kong in mid-January. Their arrival in Hong Kong was widely welcomed. The team's function is to prepare an objective assessment of the RHKPF's problems and, in particular, the questions of police morale and internal communications within the Force. They are hoping to produce an analysis of the situation and put recommendations to the Governor by the end of April.
4. The Political Adviser in Hong Kong has recently given us an indication of the team's thinking so far. He confirms that they support the idea of introducing a number of senior officers from the UK into the RHKPF, which we have favoured; and the number involved (twelve) should prove feasible; and they attach importance to improved training for police officers and better internal communications within the Force. One worrying aspect, however, which is new to us, is the apparent doubt about the suitability of the present Deputy Commissioner to succeed Mr Slevin when he retires, probably at the end of this year. Our understanding was that Mr Henry was held in high respect, particularly by the rank and file and Inspectorate of the Force.
5. Mr Crane is devoting part of his stay in the UK to the question of finding suitable officers to fill the gaps in the RHKPF. It is clearly essential to find officers of the right calibre if the impact of the appointments is to be as great as we hope, but it will not be easy. In particular, finding a suitable man to become a second Deputy Commissioner and, therefore a strong candidate for the post of Commissioner, will be difficult but vital, assuming that the doubts about Mr Henry are valid.
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