As a part of the ongoing Force strategic planning process, Commissioner Tang King-shing has issued a Statement of Strategic Directions, which provides the foundations for the upcoming Strategic Action Plan (SAP) 2007-2010.

The current cycle of strategic planning began in late 2006 with a broad scan of the conditions in which the Force is operating and preparation for the Environmental Scan Report. Late last year, all Commissioner Rank Officers (CROs) were interviewed to seek their views on the challenges that the Force is facing or is likely to face in the foreseeable future.

The interviews raised a broad range of topics, which were all subsequently discussed and debated at the two-day CRO Review Conference in February this year. By the end of the conference, CP and the Senior Directorate Group (SDG) had a much clearer picture of the long-term management priorities for the Force and began considering the best ways for them to be addressed.

In March, CP and SDG held another two-day conference, this time overnight, to decide the highest priority issues and to formulate the Strategic Directions for the Force. The Strategic Directions provide a Force-wide focus of attention on the area of police management for several years to come.

"Through a series of interviews, conferences and meetings with the Commissioner Rank Officers involving open and frank discussions, the most important strategic issues facing the Force have been identified," said Mr Tang.

Strategic Directions issued

CP and SDG have issued the following Strategic Directions, representing the key management areas that senior management agrees are crucial to the continued success of the Force:

* Engaging the Community;

* Enhancing Personal and Professional Qualities of Force Members;

* Strengthening Criminal Intelligence Gathering Force-wide, and

* Supporting Frontline Units.

In the CP's Statement of Strategic Directions, each direction is explained using a brief introduction to the strategic issue that must be addressed, followed by a broad strategic vision that describes the future position that the Force will work towards. Strategic objectives that form the foundations for action plans are set out and the general approaches that the Force will adopt in meeting those objectives are outlined.

"All four Strategic Directions are long-term commitments and every member of the Force must pursue them with vigour and determination. We should expect progress to be gradual and incremental," Mr Tang stressed.

The development of the SAP for each of the four Strategic Directions has been delegated to a Programme Director, who will oversee and monitor the key projects and activities in support of the strategic objectives.

The Programme Directors are :

* Engaging the Community : DMS

* Enhancing Personal and Professional Qualities of Force Members : DPT

* Strengthening Criminal Intelligence Gathering Force-wide : D C&S

* Supporting Frontline Units : D OPS

Currently, the Programme Directors are working with representatives of Major Formations across the Force to formulate the SAP, which will start towards the end of 2007.

"This Statement of Strategic Directions has been issued prior to the finalisation of the SAP so that commanders can begin the process of planning by communicating the Strategic Directions to their staff and considering their implications," Mr Tang added.

In the near future, the SAP 2007-2010 will be finalised and issued. The SAP will include key projects in support of the Strategic Directions that require Force-wide coordination.

The Statement of Strategic Directions is available on the Force NoticeBoard on POINT under Policy > Information Bulletins and also on Formation Sites > CP Office.