EFQM is the standard used by more than 50 per cent of major European companies in order to promote business excellence and to provide assurance to their business partners, clients and stakeholders.

RIB has been assisting management at all levels within the Force to identify and realise tangible opportunities for increased efficiency, economy and effectiveness in the delivery of services, most often through Formation Inspections. To assist in this process, inspection protocols are used to identify and share best practice, in order to provide a homogenised, user-friendly top quality service.

However, while these protocols are an important component of the inspection process, it is also vital that the Force has suitably qualified staff to ensure that the inspections compare favourably with other organisations and are conducted by officers holding internationally recognised qualifications, befitting a cosmopolitan city such as Hong Kong.

The two officers' attendance of EFQM, therefore, represents RIB's latest drive for quality management.

"This is excellent news for the Force," commented Director of Management Services Mike Dowie. "It illustrates our commitment to sustained excellence in the way we provide our services. This is the first time the Force has officers who are accredited to international standards to assist with the important inspection process. Both officers have done well in attaining this qualification, provided by an organisation with an international reputation for ensuring excellence within organisations."

This is how Jeff and Gareth see their EFQM course. "The courses were interesting and thought-provoking," Jeff commented. "They consisted of both homework and regular assessments in classroom. Also, the final exam was very challenging, as it was conducted under severe time restraints requiring quick decision making, which ensured that the course participants had taken onboard the subject matter. Although the final course lasted only three days, the syllabus was of such magnitude that it suited a much longer course. However, as we had been required to do one-week preparation, prior to our attendance in Edinburgh, it was possible to manage the workload. At the end of the course we were all given individual appraisals and a detailed report was forwarded to our respective organisations."

Gareth felt the case study most worthwhile. "It required us to assess the performance of a real company; it was extremely informative and most relevant to our duties in the Force."

The Force is committed through its Strategic Action Plan to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of all staff, and as can be seen from EFQM, that certainly includes officers who are engaged in ascertaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the Force as a whole.

SQW CSP David Gunton congratulates SSP Herbert (right) and SIP Jones on their newly acquired professional qualifications