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the Hong Kong Force, the Governor points out that
in their Home Service the majority were constables
and a few were sergeants, or acting sergeants.
The petitioners contend that when they
were interviewed for the Hong Kong appointments they
were given to believe that owing to various factors,
i.e. deaths, normal retirements and lack of
recruitment during the war years, few, if any, of the
pre-war members would be fit to resume duty.
is,
At the time of recruitment, that is just
before the end of the war, the position of the
Hong Kong Police gave rise to some concern and it
is reasonable to suppose, in the absence of evidence
to the contrary, that the petitioners may have been
led to believe that their prospects were better
have
than they since turned out to be. It is certain
that it was not until some time after their release
from internment that the decision was taken by
high authorities that the large proportion of the
original Force would be returning to duty. Their
Some
return must have caused at dimunition in the
prospects of those officers recruited from the Home
Forces. The Governor points out, however, that
after their arrival in Hong Kong the petitioners
were all graded as Sub-Inspectors, in conformity
with the policy of abolishing the grades of
constable and sergeant, and that it will take time
before the newly-appointed Sub-Inspectors are ready
thit to fulfil all the duties of their rank, but there
is no doubt that in the course of a few years they
will be holding fully responsible positions provided
they have the requisite ability.
ง
The Governor recommends that on point 2
the petitioners should be informed that "their
appointments in Hong Kong represent a regrading of
the ir
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