Hiring remains big challenge for Hong Kong police, even after lifting rule on 7-year stay for new recruits
- Rule change from April 1 allowed only 15 applicants who would have been ineligible to qualify to join the force
- The force has not met recruitment targets for the last two financial years and currently has about 5,000 vacancies
Police have continued to struggle with attracting talent even after easing a requirement on the length of time applicants must have been in Hong Kong, a move that opened the door for only 15 extra candidates.
The hiring slump has been compounded by the shrinking number of young workers and a general lukewarm interest in government jobs, among other issues, according to the force, which is trying to fill about 5,000 vacancies.
“Until now, after changing this application requirement, there were 15 applicants who are now qualified,” said Superintendent Baron Chan Shun-ching, who is responsible for recruitment.
These applicants would have been ineligible before the requirement was changed on April 1. Before that, prospective candidates had to be a Hong Kong permanent resident and have lived in the city continuously for at least seven years.
Chan said the force had no set number of candidates it wanted to reach after the rule was relaxed.
