LOCALISATION & EXTENDED RESPONSIBILITIES
11.
The foregoing regrettably is lengthy and tedious but hopefully answers HKD's main point. It serves also as a back drop to general observations (below). On the other points raised, I can confirm that the localisation plan is proceeding on schedule and some first rate local officers are now in strategic positions. Courses at Bramshill are well attended and excellent results obtained. The post on the staff of the College continues to be filled with distinction and the exchange secondment scheme is a great success in both sides.
12. Progress on the assumption of marine duties is well in hand, as is the border control operation. Training is ahead of schedule and Phase I
is about to commence.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
13. At this point perhaps my own observations might be appropriate. It is clear that whilst morale undeniably has suffered from the factors set out above, it has had - as yet little or no impact on the professionalism of this fine police force. It is true that in common with the world at large crime is increasing and challenges to public order and tranquillity are being posed, yet each new threat is being faced with the resolution one expects from the RHKPF.
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14. The force is unique in that street patrolling continues at a high level and much strife is thereby nipped in the bud. There is now a threat to the "coal face" approach to policing, in that the numbers of beat personnel available per shift is falling. (Please see above re recruitment and wastage.)
15. I must also identify what I believe to be a defect in the approach of the HK Govt. to the difficulties experienced by the RHKPA in manpower and financial stringency. Due to the problem of a failure of the police to recruit (or retain) up to its establishment, monies set aside for those numbers remained unused. Apparently the Hong Kong solution to this admittedly unacceptable position, is to reduce the establishment by the number of unfilled posts thus effectively making current STRENGTH into the new ESTABLISHMENT. In accountancy terms this may be a perfectly sound exercise, but in a disciplined service it is an unwelcome distraction.
Formation commanders who, on a given day, see a deficiency of perhaps 10%, are told on the next day that by the stroke of a pen, they are actually at full strength. Slightly reminiscent of 1984!
16.
/17.