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Lo Hoi-ying

The number of people applying to become police officers in Hong Kong rose by 46 per cent in the past financial year after the force relaxed entry requirements and bolstered its outreach efforts to attract city residents living in mainland China.
Police on Thursday also announced a new measure to cut the recruitment time in half to attract new staff to the 33,000-strong force.
Official figures showed that more than 11,698 residents applied for inspector and constable roles in 2023-24, up from 7,997 in the previous financial year.
The number of admitted recruits also rose from 719 to 972, a 35 per cent increase.
“The hard work we put in previously has shown very good results,” said Superintendent Walter Chan Kit-fung of the police’s recruitment division. “I will describe it as a very good turnout. I believe the numbers reflect the success of the changes in policies.”
The force had more than 6,000 vacancies, while a maximum of 240 inspectors and 1,350 constables could be trained each year, Chan said.
“Our goal is never to hit the maximum capacity, as quality matters over quantity when it comes to serving the public,” he said.
In a bid to counter a recruitment slump, the force announced last year that candidates would no longer have to meet previous height and weight requirements, and could wear glasses or contact lenses for eye tests.
Applicants who failed their public exams could also take a new Chinese and English-language written test to qualify, and permanent residents who had lived in the city for less than seven years could apply for the roles of constable, inspector or auxiliary officer.
At the press briefing on Thursday, the force also announced a new streamlined “two-in-one” interview process for “sufficiently prepared” applicants.
Starting Monday, applicants who excelled in their small group interview would be allowed to take their final interview on the same day, said Chief Inspector Abby Chow Tsz-tung.
Applicants could choose to complete their Basic Law and National Security Law Test on the spot following their interviews, she added.
“They will be arranged to take their physical fitness and psychometric test immediately, condensing the four rounds of recruitment from 45 days to just three weeks,” she said. “We hope this streamlining can encourage interested applicants to start their preparations early.”
Superintendent Chan said “sufficiently prepared” candidates should show a good understanding of the force’s mission and values, as well as provide adequate solutions when confronted with challenges, to qualify for the fast track.

To make the sign-up process easier, police rolled out a new “HKPF Recruit” mobile app on Thursday that allowed qualified candidates to begin the application process, no matter whether they were in the city or not, the first such service offered by a government wing.
Applicants can apply for the role of inspector or constable through the app and keep track of their status, with the force expecting to expand its usage to traffic police and other roles in the future.
“We hope digitalising the application process can improve the user experience of our candidates and increase transparency, to help those who want to become a police officer make their first step,” Chan said.
He did not disclose the cost of developing the app or the expected number of users, saying he was satisfied “as long as we can make it convenient for even one candidate”.
Over the past two years, the force has extended its recruitment drive to Hong Kong permanent residents living on the mainland.
Recruitment drives at universities in the cities of Wuhan, Shanghai, Beijing, as well as the provinces of Sichuan, Guangdong and Fujian, had attracted more than 1,200 applications since November 2022, Chan said.
The force will also be joining the civil service’s recruitment drives in Shanghai and Beijing at the end of the year.


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Hong Kong police

46% jump in number of applicants for Hong Kong police after entry rules eased

The police force has more than 6,000 vacancies. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

(From left) Chief inspector Abby Chow, Superintendent Walter Chan and Chief Inspector Emily Lau Sze-wai at police headquarters in Wan Chai. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Applications for Hong Kong police jump after some entry requirements eased last year

Officers take part in a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Police College last year. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

The police force has struggled to recruit officers in recent years and has thousands of vacancies. Photo: Jelly Tse

Hong Kong police accept 137 city students at mainland Chinese universities following year-long talent trawl

Officers at a passing-out parade on Saturday. The acceptance rate of about 20 per cent for the force’s mainland university recruitment drive is higher than that of local efforts to attract personnel. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu speaking to reporters after a passing-out ceremony. He says a decision to relax some entry requirements has paid off. Photo: Jonathan Wong

News

Hong Kong

Law and Crime

More than 11,698 residents applied for inspector and constable roles in 2023-24, up from 7,997 in previous financial year.
