The Strategic Action Plan (SAP) 2008-2010 has been recently released alongside the Statement of Strategic Directions, marking a milestone in the process of planning for the future of the Force. In his foreword to the SAP document, Commissioner Tang King-shing pointed out that the Strategic Directions represent the key management areas that require the Force's attention in the years to come - those areas that senior management agree will be crucial to the continued success of the Force in fulfilling the vision of Hong Kong as one of the safest and most stable societies in the world.

He re-iterated that the four Strategic Directions are "Engaging the Community", "Enhancing Personal and Professional Qualities of Force Members", "Strengthening Criminal Intelligence Gathering Force-wide" and "Supporting Frontline Units".

The identification of these Strategic Directions is the result of a planning and review process that began with a thorough environmental scan to identify the trends and anticipate the challenges that might impact on the Force in the years to come. Commenting on the planning process Mr Tang noted: "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. These Strategic Directions have been formulated as our response to those issues and the details of each Strategic Direction lay the foundations for future action plans at both the strategic and the operational levels of the Force."

CP then went on to elaborate on each of the four Strategic Directions.

Engaging the Community

"Engaging the Community" acknowledges and further endorses the Force's commitment to a community-oriented policing strategy. "As Hong Kong's society changes, we believe that effectively engaging all sectors of the community will become increasingly important and our efforts in this area will need to be reinforced. That said, we fully recognise that there are many excellent community-policing initiatives already under way across the Force and we applaud the progress made at a local level in this area. Hence, in pursuing this Strategic Direction, we are aiming to build on our current successes and broaden the involvement in engaging the community to include all Force members," said Mr Tang.

Enhancing Personal and Professional Qualities of Force Members

Commenting on the second Strategic Direction, Mr Tang mentioned: "This Strategic Direction recognises the Force's most critical asset - our people. Over many years we have made considerable progress in developing the personal and professional qualities of Force members. We have continuously promoted Force Values and we have emphasised the need for professional responsibility both on and off-duty. This Strategic Direction represents a further commitment to Force Values and calls for continued improvements in how we develop the qualities of Force members. Our commitment to society is further endorsed by embarking on an effort to gain a better understanding of social responsibility and promote the concept to all Force members."

Strengthening Criminal Intelligence Gathering Force-wide

Mr Tang said this Strategic Direction works in support of the Force's intelligence-led policing strategy and is a response to a number of important developments affecting the Force.

"We have identified that, over the years, criminal intelligence gathering has become more complex for Force members. Furthermore, from a policing perspective, changes in both society and law have made it more challenging to build an accurate picture of what is going on in Hong Kong. Yet good criminal intelligence remains crucial to our efforts to prevent and detect crime. Therefore, this Strategic Direction aims at strengthening the Force Criminal Intelligence System and renewing the skills and providing the support that will lead to a greater commitment from all Force members in criminal intelligence gathering," he added.

Supporting Frontline Units

CP pointed out that frontline units are the largest and hence the most important section of the Force for engaging with the public and providing a professional service to the community. Officers of frontline units uphold the Force's traditional policing strategy by providing a strong visible uniform presence, fast and effective response to emergencies and timely and effective investigations, and in doing so, they play a major role in the Force's success.

"This Strategic Direction acknowledges that these officers need the best possible support to ensure that they are fully prepared for their responsibilities. Moreover, they need a clear sense of purpose in their role. In order that they realise their full potential, the importance and contribution of frontline officers must be fully recognised," said Mr Tang.

The four Programme Directors will each support the SAP by personally supervising one of the Strategic Directions, namely Director of Management Services for "Engaging the Community"; Director of Personnel and Training for "Enhancing Personal and Professional Qualities of Force members"; Director of Crime and Security for "Strengthening Criminal Intelligence Gathering Force-wide" and Director of Operations for "Support Frontline Units".

Projects identified to support Strategic Directions

CP further pointed out that in the SAP 2008-2010 there are a number of key projects that have been identified in support of each Strategic Direction. These key projects have been formulated to put the Force on the road to fulfilling its objectives and they are aimed at achieving realistic progress as soon as practicable. They also include the measures that will become the foundations of future projects and continued long-term success.

Commenting on these key projects, Mr Tang said: "As our attention turns from planning to implementation, the success of the SAP will largely depend on how the key projects are turned into positive action. Major Formation and Formation Commanders are required to review their own plans and ensure that they are aligned with the Strategic Directions and the SAP. Some key projects in the SAP have responsibilities for all Major Formations and as such, they should be included in Major Formation and Formation Action Plans."

In closing, CP reminded Formation Commanders: "It is the responsibility of commanders at all levels to ensure that their staff are fully aware of the Strategic Directions and the SAP. Furthermore, staff must be briefed on their respective Major Formation and Formation Action Plans and they must understand and appreciate the part that they play in meeting the objectives."