Comprising 150 men and 30 women, the recruits form the third intake since the granting of exemption to the recruitment freeze by the Government in December 2004 for the Force to recruit 950 officers, including not more than 50 Inspectors, before March 31, 2006. It is also the largest intake since January 2002.

All the recruits were picked through a new RPC selection system, which was implemented in October 2004 with emphasis on a competency-based selection process. In the last seven months, about 6,000 applications had been received for the post of RPC, with a monthly average of about 850. Over 90 per cent of applications were received through electronic means.

The introduction of e-application and a streamlined selection process has reduced the time of processing applications, with the quickest one taking only about three months to complete. The average processing time has also been reduced from five to about four months, subject to the number of applications received.

Of the 180 RPCs, about 20 per cent are university graduates and the remainder have reached Form Five to Diploma level. Superintendent Lo Yam Wai-chun of Recruitment Division emphasised that academic qualification is just one of the basic requirements. The suitability of applicants would depend on their performances during the selection process and on whether they possess the required competences.

"The Force welcomes applicants who share the vision and values of the Force, are eager to shoulder responsibilities and serve the community, and are determined to join the Force as a lifelong commitment," she added.

The Force will continue to recruit about 500 RPCs and 40 PIs within the current financial year. The next intake of RPCs is scheduled for September when another batch of 180 RPCs will be appointed. Thereafter, two more intakes will be arranged at every two to three months' interval until March 2006.

The recruits swear in at PTS