Commissioner Lo Wai-chung announced details of the Strategic Directions (SDs) 2019-2021 at a briefing session on February 28 for officers at Senior Superintendent rank and above.

"The Force has a proud history of successfully lowering crime rates, as shown by the crime figures which hit a new record low in 2018. In order to continue to deliver a first-class policing service to the community and gain their support, it is crucial for us to plan for the future," said Mr Lo.

"Last year, three separate conferences involving all Commissioner Rank Officers were held to discuss the strategic issues identified by all formations of the Force as well as the Environmental Scan Report and three surveys, namely the Police Service Satisfaction Survey, the Public Opinion Survey and the Staff Opinion Survey. The SDs 2019-2021 represent the outcome of a comprehensive strategic planning process and the strategic goals that require the Force's attention in the coming three years. The Senior Directorate Group is now formulating significant activities that will be published in a new, more flexible Strategic Action Plan format, with progress monitored at Senior Directorate Group quarterly meetings and communicated through the Police Intranet (POINT)," Mr Lo added.

He explained, "While the previous four SDs have guided the Force over the past challenging decade with considerable achievements, there is no doubt that the impact of digital technology has brought unprecedented challenges to our operating environment. In order to keep pace with both societal and technological development, the Force needs to change our focus."

He pointed out that the new SDs aimed at guiding the Force in three key areas to ensure the Force continues to stay relevant in the digital era and safeguard Hong Kong as one of the safest and most stable societies in the world. The SDs are:

SD1 – Embracing the use of technology for policing in the digital age.

SD2 – Policing WITH the community.

SD3 – Preparing the workforce to meet emerging challenges.

Following Mr Lo's opening address, Director of Management Services Kwok Yam-shu, Director of Operations Siu Chak-yee and Director of Personnel and Training Li Kin-fai explained to the audience in detail regarding the rationale, strategic vision and strategic objectives from SD 1 to SD 3 respectively.

Chief Superintendent (Performance Review) of the Service Quality Wing (SQW) Steven Tait outlined the major changes in formulating, implementing and monitoring the Strategic Action Plan (SAP). "In this cycle, the intention is to spend sufficient time and effort in identifying and prioritising the key initiatives necessary to make significant progress and that the format of the SAP would become more flexible, allowing completed activities to be dropped and new activities, identified as part of a long-term plan, to be added. The first iteration of the SAP would be published by mid-year," he explained.

Meanwhile, Mr Lo encouraged commanders to develop their Formation or Major Formation Action Plans with the aim of resolving their respective local challenges, and to support and fulfill the goals of the SDs. "It is essential for every commander to communicate the strategic goals for 2019 to 2021 to your staff to garner their support and also to provide your staff with the opportunity to share their views and contribute to the formulation of your action plans," he continued.

"I always believe that our officers are the most valuable assets to the Force and their exemplary efforts have built a stronger Force. In the coming years, we must work together to identify and implement necessary changes to meet the emerging challenges from time to time," Mr Lo concluded.

For further information about the SDs 2019-2021 document or for advice on the formulation of SAP, please contact Senior Superintendent (Efficiency Studies) of SQW Cheung Hoi-yan at 2860-6583.