CO129-612-1 Police Department- petition from European memebers of Inspectorate 21-1-1947 - 17-2-1948 — Page 90

MEMORANDUM

89

A

Sometime before the Japanese war the Government of Hong Kong

contemplated a substantial reorganisation of the Police Force

and with this object in view a new Commissioner of Police was

specially appointed from outside the Colony. The programme

of reform and reorganisation was interrupted by the fall of

Hong Kong. But during the Japanese occupation and since,

the matter has received careful consideration.

2.

The following principles have been accepted by the

Government of Hong Kong and approved by the Secretary of S

State (I) The non-gazetted grades of the European establish-

ment of the Police Force should be considerably reduced,

principally by removing posts lower than Sub-Inspector from

the European establishment. (II) The salary scale of the

non-gazetted ranks should be adjusted so as to be appropriate

to a smaller European establishment consisting only of Sub-

Inspectors and higher ranks. (III) Posts removed from the

European establishment should be filled by persons of local

domicile who would in accordance with general policy hold

more positions of greater responsibility than hitherto.

3.

In normal circumstances reform of this kind which

were thought desirable six years ago would be introduced

forthwith. Certain European members of the Hong Kong Polic

Force, including those not considered suitable for promotion

to the grade of Sub-Inspector, would be compulsorily retired

on abolition of office with the pension or gratuity provided

in such circumstances under the Police Fo rce Ordinance 1932.

Circumstances however are not normal in that most of the men

were interned and can reasonably expect to resume their

former employment after recuperative leave.

4.

It has therefore been decided that compulsory

retirement from the Hong Kong Police Force shall at this

stage be limited to those liable to it under existing law.

5.

It has further been decided that any member of a

non gazetted grade of the European establishment of the Force

may at his option retire now even though he has not reached

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