Turning a challenge into an opportunity

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"Further enhancing the Force's management and efficiency" will be the top priority for the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner (Management), Mr Fung Siu-yuen, who has just entered one of the most challenging phases in his policing career.

"The Force has already achieved a professional standard in terms of operational efficiency and management. My predecessors have laid a very good foundation for me and, building on that, I shall strive for even further advancement."

The biggest challenge that Mr Fung has to face right now is handling the Force expenditure cut in line with Government policy but without jeopardising frontline services and coverage. Under the Efficiency Savings Programme recently announced by the Government, every department is required to reduce its estimate of operating expenditure for 2003-04 by 1.8%, followed by a further reduction of 1% in each of the following three financial years.

"We understand that the Government needs to balance annual revenue and expenditure and that the current economic downturn dictates a cut in expenditure. As a government department, the Force will adopt a positive attitude in dealing with this issue, just as we have in the past. We shall do our very best to achieve the target set by the Government.

"A most demanding challenge"

"Although an overall expenditure cut of 4.8% over the next four financial years doesn't appear to be all that draconian, taken in the context of our previous Enhanced Productivity Programme (EPP) reductions, it is a most demanding challenge. There is little room for us to make further reductions but we will do as much as we possibly can to come in on target."

Mr Fung said that the Force's expenditure savings exercise would be based on the following basic principles: (1) Avoid a reduction in frontline services and coverage; (2) Cover all reductions in the size of the Force through natural wastage; (3) Minimise the impact on any particular grade or rank; and, (4) Consult with all units affected by any proposed changes and ensure they are kept fully briefed on any decisions made.

"We know that there will be difficulties in rolling out this exercise, but, with the experience gained in the EPP, and our highly professional financial management expertise, we should be able to reach the target within the allotted time. A step-by-step approach, similar to the one used in the EPP, will be adopted for this exercise."

Mr Fung urged his colleagues to take a positive view of the situation and so turn a challenge into an advantage. "The implementation of the expenditure savings exercise can be good for our long-term development. It gives us a second chance to take an even closer look at all aspects of management and operations.

Promoting a value-for-money culture

"We intend to focus Force efforts on identifying all possible areas for redeploying resources, re-prioritising work, re-engineering our processes and, wherever possible, increasing our use of Information Technology.

"We will also consider the civilianisation of police posts that do not involve constabulary duties, the outsourcing of more support services and functions, review non-essential internal and external services, and continue to promote a value-for-money culture within the Force.

"We must continually review our organisational structure and our working procedures. We must embrace the best management practices at every level and in everything we do. We must strive to reach even higher standards of effectiveness and efficiency. We must keep adapting to the needs of our ever-changing society."

Another focus of the Government's Efficiency Savings Programme is the rolling out of the One-Line-Vote (OLV) system to all bureaux and departments. Under this system financial authority is devolved from central government to individual bureaux and departments.

Mr Fung explained: "Of course the OLV is not new to the Force. We were one of the first departments to adopt the arrangement, so we are pretty confident that we can continue to live with it."

Support and cooperation

Stressing the importance of Force-wide support and cooperation, Mr Fung promised that "officers of all ranks and grades would be given ample opportunities to make their contributions to the exercise.

"No one," he concluded, "welcomes cuts in expenditure but I am sure that, with the help and support of everyone in the Force, we will be able to identify feasible and acceptable ways in which to tighten our belts."

Deputy Commissioner Mr Fung Siu-yuen faces the biggest challenge of his career