XN000022-1996-03-06 — Page 111

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Year

Rank

Region

Amount

1993

NIL

NIL

NIL

1994

Police Constable

Kowloon West

$20,000

Police Constable

Hong Kong Island

$22.500

1995

Police Constable

New Territories

$240,000

South

Police Constable Sergeant

Hong Kong Island $180,000 Kowloon West

$20,000

(d)

The Force monitors closely the situation of unmanageable debts among police officers by conducting six monthly surveys. The number of cases of unmanageable debts had dropped from 145 for the second half of 1994 to 132 for the first half of 1995. The survey for the second half of 1995 showed a further decrease to 87. Overspending and gambling were the main reasons for having unmanageable debts.

The Commissioner of Police maintains a strict policy on indebtedness of police officers as serious pecuniary embarrassment might compromise the integrity of the officer concerned. Police officers are required to be prudent and temperate in their financial affairs and encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Accordingly, the Force has developed a comprehensive strategy for preventing. identifying and dealing with the indebtedness of police officers. It includes briefings and seminars for new recruits and serving officers on indebtedness and personal budgeting. Where appropriate. counselling will also be offered. Officers who are indebted under the following circumstances may be subject to criminal or disciplinary proceedings:

(i) betting, gambling, or otherwise related indebtedness;

(ii)

having financial obligation to any person or organisation other than as permitted by the Acceptance of Advantage (Governor's Permission) Notice or the Police General Orders.

The Force has also issued an administrative guideline outlining steps to be taken at different levels of management to monitor and tackle indebtedness. A list of indicators of indebtedness has been drawn up to heighten the awareness of the management on the extent of indebtedness of individual officers.