The Mainland and Overseas Summer Course Sponsorship Scheme of the Police Welfare Fund offers sponsorship to police children so that they would gain more exposure to different cultures, broaden their horizons and boost their confidence and communication skills during the summer vacation.

A total of 93 places are available, on a proportional basis, for the children of officers at the ranks of Senior Superintendent and below, who have never been sponsored by the Police Welfare Fund for summer courses. Allocation of sponsored places is one for Senior Superintendent and Superintendent; nine for Chief Inspector, Senior Inspector and Inspector, and 83 for Junior Police Officer.

Those wishing to submit applications for the scheme should note the following Terms and Conditions:

1. The applicant should be a serving police officer and his or her child should be either blood related or legally adopted.

2. A child should be aged above 12 and below 21 on June 1 this year, i.e. born between June 1, 1988 and May 31, 1997 (both dates inclusive).

3. If both parents are police officers, only one of them may apply.

4. Parents and children may choose their own courses on the Mainland or overseas (excluding Macao and Taiwan) and the organising bodies, subject to endorsement by the Force. General sightseeing tours or regular school programme will not be supported.

5. The course programme should generally be held between June and August, must be organised by a reputable institution or organisation, and is subject to endorsement by the Force.

6. Decisions made by the Force are final.

The maximum amount for a successful application by a JPO is $3,000; $2,000 by CIP, SIP and IP, and $1,000 by SSP and SP, or 70 per cent of the course fee, whichever is lesser.

Applications should be made on the application form, which is available at the Force NoticeBoard. Parents need to submit copies of their children's school reports for the academic year 2007-08 (including the Second Term) as supporting documents of above average performances at school.

The application deadline is Friday, May 22, and applications with all supporting documents should be sent to CSP PS&SR (Attn.: EO SUP 2), Personnel Services and Staff Relations Branch. Arsenal House, 38th Floor, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai.

The successful applicants will be chosen by ballot if there are more applicants than the quota. The ballot may be held on Friday, June 5 in PS&SR Branch Conference Room. The results will be announced at the Force NoticeBoard and successful applicants will be notified.

Successful applicants will have to submit documents about course details and confirmation of a place to CSP PS&SR (Attn.: EO SUP 2) before June 26. For details, refer to the confirmation notice. Finance Division will pay out sponsorship upon receipt of documentary proof.

A successful applicant has to refund the sponsorship in full if the course has not been attended for reasons not acceptable to the Force. On returning to Hong Kong, participants may be called upon to assist in future events related to the scheme.

For details or enquiries, refer to the announcement at Force NoticeBoard or call the Personnel Services and Staff Relations Branch Hotline on 2860-3200.