In view of the encouraging response to Project GROWTH in four police districts, the Recruitment Division (RECDIV) has expanded the youth project to Wan Chai District (WCHDIST) and Yuen Long District (YLDIST) this year. The total number of mentees has been increased to over 210.

The project was launched in 2016 by RECDIV and Kwai Tsing District (KWTDIST) to promote the social and personal development of students, establish mutual trust between the students and frontline officers, and encourage the students to join the Force. The officers serve as mentors to share their work and life experience with the mentees. In 2017, Kowloon City District (KCDIST), Kwun Tong District (KTDIST) and Tseung Kwan O District (TKODIST) joined the project. A review was conducted last December by the principals, teachers, mentors and mentees concerned. As all of them acknowledged the contribution of the project, the RECDIV expanded the project to two more districts. So the project would cover all land Regions of the Force.

More than 350 mentees, teachers and principals from 11 designated secondary schools and officers from the Human Resources Branch (HR Branch) and the six police districts participated in "The Project GROWTH 2017/18 Closing Ceremony cum 2018/19 Inauguration Ceremony" at the Police Sports and Recreation Club on March 13.

At the closing ceremony, Senior Superintendent of HR Branch Lam Chi-ming presented the Enthusiasm Award to some mentees. This was followed by an experience-sharing session. Noting that 21 activities were held last year for mentees, the awardees said that the activities have increased their understanding of the Force and fostered their relationship with the police mentors.

At the inauguration ceremony, Assistant Commissioner (Personnel) Siu Chak-yee officiated at the second anniversary of the project with the principals and school representatives. They encouraged the mentees to actively join the activities of the project. One of the upcoming activities is an overnight camp to be held in JPC@Pat Heung on April 27 and 28 to forge ties between mentors and mentees.

List of secondary schools under Project Growth 2018/19:

KWTDIST (New Territories South Region)

•Hong Kong Taoist Association Yuen Yuen Institute No.1 Secondary School

•Lai King Catholic Secondary School

•TWGHs S.C. Gaw Memorial College

KCDIST (Kowloon West Region)

•Homantin Government Secondary School

•Yu Chun Keung Memorial College

KTDIST (Kowloon East Region)

•SKH Kei Hau Secondary School

TKODIST (Kowloon East Region)

•The Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod MKMCF Ma Chan Duen Hey Memorial College

WCHDIST (Hong Kong Island Region)

•Confucius Hall Secondary School

•Hong Kong Tang King Po College

YLDIST (New Territories North Region)

•Yuen Long Merchants Association Secondary School

•The Yuen Yuen Institute MFBM Nei Ming Chan Lui Chung Tak Memorial College