PUBLIC ORDER
promoted from within the ranks. Recruitment at the constable rank remained satisfactory, with 331 recruits out of 8 444 applicants.
Welfare
The Personnel Services Branch provides a wide range of support services in the areas of personal and family welfare, financial protection, bursaries and scholarships for children, psychological consultations, assistance with retirement, sport and recreation, catering and the allocation and maintenance of departmental quarters. During the year, the major sources of funding for most welfare activities in the Police Force were the Police Welfare Fund, the Police Children's Education Trust and the Police Education and Welfare Trust, which were established with funds from public donations.
Two voluntary group life and permanent disability insurance schemes the Central Fund and the Family Protection Fund were also made available to enhance protection for all staff. More than 54 per cent of staff took part.
Welfare officers conducted casework interviews and visited officers in need of welfare advice and support. In addition to the casework services, a series of family life education programmes and group work services were organised for officers and their families. Resettlement courses and job placement services were also provided to retiring officers.
The Police Healthy Lifestyle Working Committee continued to promote activities. on financial prudence, and physical and mental well-being. Officers were encouraged to establish a smoke-free workplace and to take part in sports, and build up a habit of regular exercise. Elite players were selected for international competitions, such as the World Police and Fire Games and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Police and Security Forces Sports Exchange.
On the recreation side, holiday homes and hotels with a wide range of facilities were made available to force members.
Most of the police canteens were contracted out to private sector caterers although the Police Catering Unit remained responsible for arranging operational feeding in emergency situations.
The Psychological Services Group provides counselling service for officers and their immediate family members. During the year, training in stress management was offered to officers of all ranks. Conflict management training was conducted for Traffic officers to help them prevent disputes arising with members of the public in the course of their work.
Force Housing
In 2001, the Police Quartering Division managed 13 971 Departmental Quarters, including 13 378 for Junior Police Officers, 578 for Inspectorate officers and 15 operational/post-tied quarters. The division was fully computerised in May to achieve. efficiency, effectiveness and economy. During the year, 1946 units at the Shun Lee new Disciplined Services Quarters were allocated to the force.
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