248
PUBLIC ORDER
officers are seconded to Hong Kong from British police forces for a period of two years where they undertake full operational duties as divisional commanders. Similarly, super- intendents from Hong Kong are seconded to the three participating United Kingdom forces. The scheme has proved to be of great value in terms of experience for those involved, to such an extent that it has been increased in frequency to an annual exercise. This means that at any one time there are twelve officers involved.
Consultation
The Police Force Council, the Commissioner's principal consultative forum, had a particularly busy year dealing with issues arising from the final report of the Review Committee on Disciplined Services Pay and Conditions of Service and the run-up to 1997, in addition to conducting normal council business.
Personnel Branch has an ongoing responsibility for liaising with the Police Sub- Committee of the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service and its secretariat.
During the year several submissions were made in respect of allowances payable to the force, pensions, medical examinations and various other subjects. A job evaluation exercise commenced early in August covering, initially, the gazetted ranks. Several on-the-job visits were arranged for members of both the police sub-committee and the full standing committee, to provide members with a better understanding of the nature of police work.
Welfare
The welfare organisation within the force was initiated by the inclusion of a welfare fund under the Police Force Ordinance in 1948. An early development, some three years later, was the establishment of a number of primary schools for police children. Other areas covered in those early years were the promotion of force sporting activities and spon- sorship of police children's education.
In 1967, two trusts for police children were established with voluntary donations from members of the public and the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. Funds from these trusts are regularly committed to assist in the education of police children.
The range of services provided by the Welfare Branch has expanded more rapidly in recent years and the branch now provides a wide range of services including personnel welfare, catering, sports and recreation, psychological consultation and assistance on retirement for all members of the force and their families.
During the year, social work staff made 5 566 casework visits and conducted 4 572 casework interviews in the four regional welfare offices and three sub-offices. A series of two Family Life Education programmes was organised to promote safety in the home, skills in financial management and parental skills for officers and their families. A total of 3 657 children of regular and auxiliary police officers were awarded bursaries from the Police Children's Education Trust and the Police Education and Welfare Trust to assist them at various stages of their education.
The Police Sports and Recreation Club at Boundary Street and the Police Officers' Club at Causeway Bay experienced very high attendance rates throughout the year, and their resources were particularly stretched at public holidays and on other festive occasions.
Highlight of the sporting calendar came in July when 33 of the force's leading sportsmen participated in the 3rd World Police and Fire Games held in Vancouver, Canada. The team competed in nine sports and achieved impressive results winning 21 medals.