234
Commission probably did not appreciate:-
Rent Allowance.
That it is advisable that Police Officers should live either at stations or in quarters suitably
located with the result that Police Officers are frequently moved from place to place and have no settled
home. That the increase of basic salary does not permit of a deduction of even a small rent for the use of
quarters and furniture provided by the Government. That Your Petitioners appreciate that under the new system
officers gain during periods of leave and in calculating pensions, though the element given in the new salaries for rent, up to the rank of Inspector, is never sufficient to enable officers to hire furnished
quarters in the Colony, whilst on leave, or on pension.
Fuel and Light.
That these perquisites were much appreciated and in the present state of high costs Your Petitioners
find that the charges for fuel and light are a serious tax upon their resources especially as, under the new
scale, no compensation is made for the withdrawal of this valuable allowance.
Field, Hardlying and Lodging Allowances.
That Your Petitioners submit that these allowances should be granted in more circumstances than
are outlined in paragraph 24 of the Establishment Officer's letter of the 29th January 1948. That for
example:-
(a) Officers in the New Territories Stations perform their duties and live under very hard,
and in some cases, very primitive conditions, far removed from other European company and assis-
tance, and that these conditions deserve some compensation.
(b) Water Police. That the Launches at present in use are extremely uncomfortable and are
quite unsuitable for the accommodation of European officers in the Tropics. That the service there-
in is definitely hardlying and as officers are at sea, and continuously on duty, for four days out
of five, additional discomfort and expense is suffered by these men.
(c) Medal, Drill, Teachers, Instructors Allowances. That Your Petitioners submit that teachers
and instructors allowances should be allowed in line with other Government Departments.
That Your Petitioners submit that Police Officers have a harder existence, work longer hours, and
encounter far greater dangers than other Government employees in that:-
17.
(a) Their hours of duty are long, insomuch as although they perform but a standard week of
48 hours duty, with time-off for duty performed in excess thereof, the great majority of Europeans
have duties which necessitate far more hours of duty than the standard without their being able to
accept compensation therefore by taking 'time-off'.
(b) Their duties must be carried out in all weathers.
(c) Approximately one-third of their duty is night duty.
(d) A substantial part of their duty is either in the early morning or late evening and out-
side ordinary office hours.
(e) Their duties are staggered and consequently their meals and routine of life are irregular,
to the detriment of their health.
(f) Their duties in the Water Police and in some out-stations are hardlying and involve
- 4
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.