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action is concerned, the announcement will point out that the team is meant to throw up a series of ideas for improvement, rather than produce a one-off and mammoth report, and that these changes will be a continuing process.
4.
There is one other key matter on which urgent action is necessary. This is the need to bring in new blood to strengthen the leadership of the Force. Crane and the Commissioner are agreed that there is a need for some 12 new people to come from outside Hong Kong at the Chief, or Senior, Superintendent level. Some of this new talent is needed to provide deputy district commanders in order to strengthen leadership at the district level. In addition there is a need for some experienced people to be brought in to occupy other senior positions, until available younger talent is fit for promotion and to take the strain from some of the less effective members of the present second echelon. A start will be made immediately on trying to recruit the first six of these newcomers, both through direct approaches set on foot by Crane after his return (probably the best method) and by advertising. To prevent inaccurate rumours and speculation, we will announce publicly the intention to bring in up to 12 senior officers, but the announcement will not be made until at least the first stages of the Junior Police Officers Association elections are completed (i.e. 21 February). The Commissioner will also tell the Superintendents Association in advance about what is intended. There may be some immediate reaction within the Force to the arrival of outsiders. But we calculate that there is such a widespread expectation of a large-scale infusion of new blood that there will probably be considerable relief that the number being considered is only 12 and these at a senior level. In the final analysis, however, what really matters is the quality of the people selected. They will need to have sufficient personality to overcome any initial hostility. We hope the first six will be recruited quickly, so that they can be here within two to three months at the most.
5.
In addition, the wheels are being set in motion to look for suitable candidates for two other more senior posts. One is for an immediate appointment at the Senior Assistant Commissioner level. The idea is to have somebody who can arrive within the next three months and take over responsibility for the administrative and personnel side of the Force. He might be appointed as a second Deputy Commissioner (i.e. in addition to Roy Henry, the present Deputy). Once here, he will be looked at to see how he shapes up as a possible successor to Brian Slevin, when the latter retires towards the end of this year (or the beginning of next) and if, for any reason, it is decided not to promote the only obvious local candidate, Roy Henry. The ideal candidate for this post would be a professional police officer; but the Governor is keeping an open mind about an alternative, such as a military man, if no good policeman is available. Above all, it will be the
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