"I must stress this scheme is entirely voluntary and there is absolutely no pressure on any officer to apply," Director of Finance, Administration and Planning Keith Kwok Ka-keung told OffBeat.

Mr Kwok also dispelled any speculation the scheme was the first step leading to the introduction of a compulsory retirement scheme later should it fail to attract sufficient candidates. Full details of the scheme and timing are not finalised but it is expected eligible officers would be notified in July and given three months to consider applying. An orderly departure programme would be drawn up in response to the number of officers seeking to leave the service.

"There is no truth in the rumour 3,000 redundancy notices are ready for despatch from Police Headquarters," Mr Kwok said.

He said the grades in the Police Force whose members were eligible to apply for voluntary retirement under the scheme were: Artisan and Senior Artisan; Police Communications Assistant; Calligraphist; Police Communications Computer Operator; Chinese Language Officer; Police Translator; Clerical and Secretarial Grades; Printing Technician; Cook; Property Attendant; Data Processor; Supplies Supervisor and Supplies Attendant; Foreman; Workman; and, Mechanical Inspector.

Grades where staff were employed in more than one Government Department would be considered on a service-wide basis rather than departmentally and a special team was established in the General Grades Office to look after those grades. This gives equal opportunity to all staff in the selected grades to apply for the scheme even if no surplus of manpower is envisaged in their department. More guidelines on the scheme were expected soon and staff would be briefed.

In drawing up the schedule of posts which could be offered for deletion, Mr Kwok said consideration was given to situations where demand for services was changing. He cited Police Translators whose establishment had been reduced substantially over the past few years, as an example. Similarly, there was a decline in the requirement for Calligraphists and the use of Chinese typewriters now the Force was equipped with computers and Chinese-language software.

Growing computer literacy and enhanced skills of Clerical and Secretarial staff also reduced the demand for the specialist Data Processor grade. It was therefore possible to release staff from those posts. Other posts could be saved by continuing the processes of out-sourcing.

"We have already contracted out the catering services at Police Training School and the Police Tactical Unit. This was done purely by natural wastage without recourse to redundancy and our plan is to continue to rationalise our catering facilities as and when this can be done," Mr Kwok said.

"Similarly, we intend to continue with our programme of contracting out the cleansing of Police buildings. Already we have contracted out cleaning of nine buildings and again this has been done without recourse to redundancy and has provided us with EPP savings."

Responding to a question about the career prospects of officers opting not to apply for voluntary retirement, Mr Kwok said: "So long as there is an operational need to retain the senior posts vacated by officers retiring under the scheme, they will be retained and filled by promotions from the junior ranks through normal procedures. It is therefore not the intention to reduce promotion prospects in order to pressurise staff to apply for the voluntary retirement scheme."

Mr Kwok thanked staff for their sterling efforts during these changing times and re-affirmed Management's commitment to ensuring staff civil service initiatives would be handled openly and concerns would be listened to.

The Administration Wing was organising briefing sessions for all officers who were able to apply under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme.

"Any staff who have concerns about their position should speak to the Executive Officers of their formations who have been fully briefed to answer such queries," Mr Kwok said.

He added that anyone who remained concerned about the scheme or to matters relating to the civil service initiatives, should contact Chu Ching-yee, Senior Executive Officer (Civilian Staff Relations) on 2860-3650.



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