AS an incentive to encourage junior police officers to realise their full potential through further education, loans will be made available from the Police Welfare Fund to assist them to pursue academic studies during their spare time.
Junior police officers may apply for an interest free loan of $10,000 a year to pursue a diploma course (or equivalent), or $20,000 a year for a degree course (or equivalent) with prerequisites as follows:
The course attended must have some general relevance to the officer's duties but is not limited to police subjects. It may include such subjects as information technology, human resources management, social sciences, etc. However, loans will not be provided for law courses leading to careers in the legal profession;
The course must be longer than one year and must be organised by a recognised educational institute;
And, all studying, tutorials and examinations must be undertaken in an officer's own time.
Officers undertaking courses with assistance under the this scheme (and who have completed the full course and achieved good academic results) may also apply for an additional grant - that is, $5,000 for diploma level courses and $10,000 for degree level courses.
Applications for loans should be made in accordance with the procedures set out in FPM 11-07. Evidence of acceptance on the course and receipts for payment of fees must be provided with the loan application.
Officers will not normally be granted a loan for education if they already have an outstanding loan with the Police Welfare Fund. If an officer wants an additional loan for education purposes, he should forward his reasons in memo form to CSP PS (Attn: SPWO WS).
Applications for grants for academic achievement should be made on the standard Police Welfare Fund loan/grant form, with proof of completion of the course and the awards received attached.
For enquiries, please contact your Regional Welfare Officers or call: 2804-1107, or 2866-7519.

With effect from 1 September 98, the annual rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates has been changed from 8.28 per cent per annum to 8.04 per cent per annum. This new rate of interest is applicable to all certificates purchased under the Optional Pay-As-You-Earn Scheme on or after 1 September 98.

The annual spectacular will be held at Police Training School on November 25, 27 and 28.
Highlights of the event will include performances by overseas police bands, the Hong Kong Police Band, a modern dance show and a tournament between major formation teams to manoeuvre a stalled police HGP vehicle through a series of gates.
Also in store for the night are displays of the mighty Saxon Armoured Personnel Carrier, the Road Safety Bus, Robotcop, EOD vehicles and equipment and Small Boat Unit craft.
A wide range of Force souvenirs will also be on sale.
The first two nights are open to the public, while November 28 is reserved for Force members only.
Tickets this year will cost $60, $80 and $100.
Watch this space for more details and booking arrangements.