Editorial | Hong Kong police hunt for quality as well as quantity
- In an attempt to fill holes in its ranks, the force has eased its application criteria for candidates
Police play an important role in the city and it is critical they are able to consistently recruit officers of sufficient calibre. Amid a worrying failure to meet recruitment targets, it is good to see the force easing application criteria so interested candidates are offered a chance to prove they have what it takes. The disciplined services have all seen application numbers fall and resignations rise in recent years. The police force has been unable to find enough suitable candidates for three years. Officials blame a shrinking workforce and a smaller number of secondary school graduates. From a pool of some 7,990 applicants in the 2022-23 financial year, the force hired 165 inspectors and 554 constables. The targets were 240 and 1,350, respectively.
Applicants will no longer be rejected for not meeting previous height and weight thresholds, and they may wear glasses or contact lenses for eye tests. A public education examinations requirement was eased, and applicants may now advance if they pass the force’s own Chinese and English-language written tests.
A police spokesman said the “proactive recruitment strategies” would attract “high-calibre candidates who possess the competence to become an officer” and not interfere with the “gatekeeping” role of police academy training. The force took steps last year to help deal with its manpower crunch, giving officers due to retire at age 55 the option to continue working until they reach 60. A rule requiring a seven-year stay in the city was also dropped, opening doors to Hong Kong permanent residents in mainland China and abroad.
Lam Chi-wai, chairman of the Junior Police Officers’ Association, said the situation was desperate with some 6,000 positions now vacant. But he also said the new arrangements would not degrade officer quality, since training and exams for recruits would remain.
The force must continue to address other factors including salary levels and restoring public trust. Its image took a beating during the 2019 clashes with protesters and from more recent national security law enforcement actions. But it is hoped that adjusting recruitment criteria may support community outreach and integrity training, which is now in progress, helping the force find sufficient quality talent to help perform its important role.
