TNAG-0815-FCO40-1021-Visit-of-police-advisers-to-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 42

CODE 18-77

2016/20

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr RJT McLaren, HK & GD

(K 246)

OPA/10

57

Reference

HKR

382/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY ISO.

51

9 OCT1978

ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE

DESK TYDEXIT

1 I have now received a copy of Mr Murray's minute of 18 August and, as stated to you on Friday, 18 August, followed up the suggestion that Sir Colin Woods, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, should be approached again to see if it were possible to identify one or more experienced UK police officers for the District Chief Superintendents (Administration) posts.

2.

Unfortunately, after consultation with Mr Crane, Sir Colin was of the view that, with the impending pay award to the UK Police following upon Lord Edmund-Davies' recommendations, there was little likelihood of obtaining the services of outstand- ing officers until the end of August next year when pensions based on the new scales of pay were available to serving officers.

3. Sir Colin expressed the view that he would have thought that the Commissioner of Police, Hong Kong could have filled these posts from within the ranks of his own officers.

4. I have since had the opportunity of discussing the problem with Slevin, whom I met on Saturday night prior to his return to Hong Kong via Bangkok and he confirmed that he had no alternative but to recruit externally and that, if no suitable UK police officers were available, he would recommend seeking candidates from available retired Army sources. He conceded that it would have been preferable to have experienced police officers in these posts.

5. I would suggest that if the field is restricted to retired Army officers, the selection process will have to be careful and, if required to do so, I would be glad to assist the Hong Kong Government Commissioner on the Selection Board.

21 August 1978

Cc:

Mir D F Murray, CMG

AUSS

M J Macoun

Overseas Police Adviser

CONFIDENTIAL