ENG-2000 — Page 384

PUBLIC ORDER

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Promotions

In 2000, five officers were promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent and above, 14 Chief Inspectors to Superintendent, 20 Senior Inspectors to Chief Inspector, five Station Sergeants to Inspector, 52 Sergeants to Station Sergeant and 182 Police Constables to Sergeant. Within the civilian grades, 14 general grade, one common grade and 15 departmental grade officers were promoted.

During the year, 627 disciplined officers left the Police Force. Among them, 32 were invalidated out, 118 resigned, one was transferred to other departments, and 38 were either dismissed or had their service terminated. Likewise, 180 general grade, 54 common grade and 21 departmental grade civilian staff left the force.

Welfare

The Personnel Services Branch provides a wide range of support services in the areas of personal and family welfare, sickness, financial protection, bursaries and scholarships for children, psychological consultations, assistance with retirement, sport and recreation, catering and the allocation and maintenance of departmental quarters. The major sources of funding for most welfare activities in the force are the Police Welfare Fund, the Police Children's Education Trust and the Police Education and Welfare Trust, which derive their income mainly from public donations.

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Two voluntary group life and permanent disability insurance schemes Central Fund and the Family Protection Fund have also been made available to enhance protection for all staff.

Welfare staff conducted 4 521 casework interviews and 6 582 visits to officers in hospital or at their homes for welfare support. The casework services are supplemented by group work and family life education programmes.

The Police Healthy Lifestyle Working Committee continues to promote activities on financial prudence, physical and mental well-being. Officers are encouraged to establish a smoke-free workplace and to take part in sport, building up a habit of regular exercise. Elite players have been selected for international competitions, such as the World Police and Fire Games and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Police and Security Forces Sports Exchange.

On the recreation side, holiday homes and hotels with a wide range of facilities are made available to Police Force members.

Psychological services are provided to help officers deal with various stress-related problems. Training in stress management is provided to officers of different levels, and a new office on Hong Kong Island, with improved client facilities, opened in October.

Catering services in the Police Force are provided by contract food suppliers. The Police Catering Division provides catering support at major crowd control and emergency situations. It also plays an important role in the introduction of modern catering practices and maintenance of high standards of hygiene at police canteens.

Force Housing

The Police Quartering Division allocates and manages 12 484 Departmental Quarters, including 11 643 for JPOs, 633 for Inspectorate officers and 208 operational/post-tied quarters. The division has been fully computerised since May to