TNAG-0334-FCO40-370-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 117

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The Royal Hong Kong Police Force

9. The Royal Hong Kong Police Force's strength is, in round

figures, about 14,000 with some 600 expatriates. A

considerable percentage of the senior posts in the Force

are filled for security and other reasons by overseas

officers who are recruited initially by the Crown Agents

into the rank of Inspector with prospects of promotion

to the gazetted rank. The proportion of expatriate

Inspectors is maintained at 45-50%. The rapid rise in

salaries and allowances of the constable in the police

force in the UK has caused serious recruitment difficulties

to Hong Kong. Any upward revision of the salary scale for

Inspectors in Hong Kong to keep in line with the UK rates

of pay would be costly, would distort the salary

structure and give local Inspectors an unwarranted increase

There is strong opposition to the re-introduction

of expatriate pay in addition to basic salary in Hong Kong

but any "topping-up" payable in the UK from a UK source

might be more acceptable. See also para below.

in pay.

(&)

Professional Officers

10,Professional Officers are still required in many fields

and are recruited generally on agreement terms with the

possibility of subsequent pensionable employment.

Recruitment difficulties, which vary in any case

according to the scarcity of the particular profession,

have been made more difficult by the lack of housing, out

of date education allowances, few holiday passages for

children and low terminal gratuity rates.

These factors

have made it unlikely that officers will return for a

second tour of duty. The new scales and allowances

3.

/recommended