Off Beat

JPOs one step closer to owning their own flats thanks to a Force consultative process that works

Senior Superintendent Staff Relations Debbie Chang (and her colleague SP Ronald Choi, left) meeting with JPOA, LIA and OIA reps at one of the monthly Staff Relations "Clinics" now part of Force Management's efforts to improve two-way communications. "There's no written agenda and the atmosphere tends to be relaxed and harmonious," says SSP Chang Over the past years, important issues such as a pay review for junior police officers, an ongoing reduction in working hours pilot project, and the establishment of acting appointments for JPOs have been successfully resolved through the Force's consultative forums. And now, thanks to the spirit of co-operation and mutual trust between Force Management and the staff associations, DCP MAN Tsang Yam-pui has successfully persuaded the Government to examine a proposal that if implemented will assist junior police officers to buy their own homes. OFFBEAT looks at the Force consultative process - and why it's working so well.

"I am extremely pleased with the excellent results achieved through the Police Force Council, the Senior Consultative Committee, and the Junior Consultative Committee. None of the successes would have been possible without the full co-operation between Force management and the staff associations. I thank all those who have been involved in dealing with these difficult issues."
⌒CP Hui Ki-on

THE Hong Kong Police Force's commitment to serve and protect the people of Hong Kong is equalled by its commitment to continuously improve conditions of service for its most valuable asset-its workforce. The fundamental idea being that the highest service quality possible to the public is best accomplished by also attending to the needs and concerns of police officers.
To this end, an effective consultation process has long existed in the Force which aims to achieve the greatest measure of co-operation and understanding between management and staff through regular discussions on matters affecting the well-being of officers with a view to improving welfare conditions of service, to providing machinery for dealing with grievances, and to bringing together the experience and views of staff representatives and management for the improvement of the Force.
The four established staff associations that represent the interests of police officers are: the Superintendents' Association, the Local Inspectors' Association, the Overseas Inspectors' Association and the Junior Police Officers' Association.
Through three levels of consultative forums - the Police Force Council, the Senior Consultative Committee, and the Junior Consultative Committee - the staff associations have regular opportunities to express their views on a wide variety of issues. In addition, with senior representatives from the Government available on the Police Force Council forum, issues which have service-wide implications can be addressed quickly and effectively.
But as any one taking part in the forums can attest, it hasn't always been easy. The pay review for JPOs was particularly contentious, as CSP Jimmy Lee, formerly in charge of Staff Relations and Conditions of Service, well recalls.
"The JPOA expressed their view through the Police Force Council (which is chaired by the Commissioner of Police and attended by senior officials from the Civil Service Bureau, Security Bureau and representatives from the Force staff associations) that, given the nature of police duties, the JPOA pay scale compared less favourably with that of the Urban Services Department Hawker Control Officers' pay scale. We concluded that there was a suitable case to argue to the Government, whose response fell short of JPOA expectation."
Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong's transfer of sovereignty the matter dragged on for two years. But after much heated debate and discussions the Secretary for Civil Service set up a two-member consultancy team to look into the issue. Their recommendation was that the pay scale of the JPOs be adjusted and was later approved by the Legislative Council. It took effect on 1 April 1998.
"Throughout the entire process the JPOA appreciated that CP Hui was very supportive. They saw that Mr Hui had personally attended many of the meetings and strongly argued the JPOA's case to the Administration,? recalls CSP Lee. "Consequently, the JPOA was aware that Force Management was on their side. In the end the Administration respected the CP's views in this matter. They also realised that the JPOA had a good point."
Another issue, this time raised at the Junior Consultative Committee forum, that the Civil Service Bureau does not yet fully support was the staff associations' proposal to reduce the conditioned working hours from 51 to 48 per week reflecting hours worked by officers in other police forces around the world, including the mainland.
Having examined the proposal, Force Management obtained policy approval from the Civil Service Bureau to carry out a six-month pilot scheme in selected formations to reduce working hours from 51 to 48 per week, beginning in April 1997. "Personally intervening, DCP MAN Tsang Yam-pui managed to convince the Civil Service Bureau to agree to the pilot scheme, although I don't know how he did it,"says CSP Lee. "My and SSP Staff Relations Debbie Chang's role is to maintain dialogue with the staff associations, whereas the bargaining and negotiating with the Central Administration is always done by Force senior management, whose contribution to the success of requests by the staff associations has been vital."
In October 1997, the scheme was extended to a force-wide trial for 18 months. Subject to a review of the trial, Force Management will consider seeking formal approval from the Government to reduce the conditioned working hours per week from 51 to 48.
"So far, it's been very positive,"says Mr Lee. "But we are still trying to convince the Administration of its merits, although I can understand their difficulties because the Administration not only deals with the police - they have to look at the wider implications for all disciplined services and departments throughout the Civil Service. That presents difficulties with junior police officers who ask why something they want cannot be achieved. Through our dealings with the staff associations we have built up a mutual trust. If we say we'll try our best on their behalf - we always do. We are very frank and open with them. Which they appreciate." (continued on page 4)
Definitely appreciated by the JPOA was their request through the Junior Consultative Committee forum for Force Management to set up a working group to examine issues relating to acting appointments for JPOs.

An initiative to allow for greater flexibility in the acting appointments for JPOs has since been introduced in three phases, beginning in January 1997. In the fourth phase, hopefully to be endorsed by senior management soon, police constables will be allowed to act up to sergeant rank if a sergeant temporarily leaves his post for training duty and the like.

A recent JPOA Junior Consultative Committee meeting chaired by Director of Personnel and Training Leung Fung-shun

Retired Chairman of the Junior Police Officers Association Cheung Shu-tsang: "The Force has provided channels for communication at all levels and in recent years has adopted an open policy. The common purpose and values and the transparency of Force Management is of great importance to the success of the consultative process. Through calm, patient and frank discussions all sides seek ways to formulate solutions for various problems and to come to consensus."

As examples, Mr Cheung cites a number of issues affecting police officers? conditions of service that have been resolved through co-operation and assistance of all parties forming the three levels of Force consultative forums.

Such issues include: the Commissioner for Inland Revenue agreeing to an annual review of the tax reduction allowance for the provision of laundry service and maintenance of uniforms; and the Housing Authority agreeing to increase the proposed 1998/99 allocation of Civil Service Public Housing Quota, while at the same time extending the Quota to single officers of disciplined services retiring at the age of 55.

In addition, suggestions put forward by police staff associations have led the Government to improve Gallant Garden (the designated cemetery in honour of civil servants who died on duty); to review the mechanism for determining the interest rate for civil housing schemes which led to a reduction with effect from 1 April 1998 from 10.65 per cent to 6.26 per cent per annum; to address the concerns of police over the effects of air pollution on the health of traffic officers; to re-open Elementary Chinese Characters Courses for overseas officers as well as non-Chinese reading local officers; and to provide vaccination against Hepatitis-B to frontline officers.

"Our next major task is to look at how we can assist junior police officers to buy their own homes. Through much effort on our part we have successfully persuaded the Government to examine the issue through an Inter-Departmental Working Group and we expect a positive outcome," says DCP MAN Tsang Yam-pui.

The Working Group (under the chairmanship of the Civil Service Bureau) is planning to implement a pilot scheme to test the demand for home ownership that will see 165 Home Purchase Scheme places made available for disciplined officers, 110 of which will be allocated to JPOs. If successful, junior police officers will for the first time be given the opportunity to receive assistance concurrently under the Home Purchase Scheme and Civil Service Public Housing Quota.

As a result of sincere support, trust, patience, co-operation and plain hard work from the police staff associations, Government bodies and Force Management who participate in the three consultative forums, issues affecting police officers' conditions of service are getting resolved, and goals are being achieved.

Out of this new atmosphere of mutual respect and co-operation has come the understanding, especially on the part of the staff associations, of the need to be realistic and to appreciate fully the Government's obligation to consider the Civil Service-wide implications of their requests.

Mainland Flood Disaster Relief Fund update
. . . More than $1.5 million raised!
As OFFBEAT goes to press we are told that the Hong Kong Police Force has now raised over $1.5 million which will go towards helping the millions of people affected by the floods in mainland China. All those who still wish to give can send cheques directly to: HKPF China Flood Disaster Relief Fund, Hang Seng Bank A/C No. 256-128778-001. OFFBEAT will publish the final tally in our next issue. Meanwhile, turn to page 5 for details on the incredible fundraising efforts of the PTS Concert, and the Police Motoring Club.

JPOs one step closer to owning their own flats thanks to a Force consultative process that works
Senior Superintendent Staff Relations Debbie Chang (and her colleague SP Ronald Choi, left) meeting with JPOA, LIA and OIA reps at one of the monthly Staff Relations "Clinics" now part of Force Management's efforts to improve two-way communications. "There's no written agenda and the atmosphere tends to be relaxed and harmonious," says SSP Chang	Over the past years, important issues such as a pay review for junior police officers, an ongoing reduction in working hours pilot project, and the establishment of acting appointments for JPOs have been successfully resolved through the Force's consultative forums. And now, thanks to the spirit of co-operation and mutual trust between Force Management and the staff associations, DCP MAN Tsang Yam-pui has successfully persuaded the Government to examine a proposal that if implemented will assist junior police officers to buy their own homes. OFFBEAT looks at the Force consultative process - and why it's working so well.
"I am extremely pleased with the excellent results achieved through the Police Force Council, the Senior Consultative Committee, and the Junior Consultative Committee. None of the successes would have been possible without the full co-operation between Force management and the staff associations. I thank all those who have been involved in dealing with these difficult issues." ⌒CP Hui Ki-on
THE Hong Kong Police Force's commitment to serve and protect the people of Hong Kong is equalled by its commitment to continuously improve conditions of service for its most valuable asset-its workforce. The fundamental idea being that the highest service quality possible to the public is best accomplished by also attending to the needs and concerns of police officers. To this end, an effective consultation process has long existed in the Force which aims to achieve the greatest measure of co-operation and understanding between management and staff through regular discussions on matters affecting the well-being of officers with a view to improving welfare conditions of service, to providing machinery for dealing with grievances, and to bringing together the experience and views of staff representatives and management for the improvement of the Force. The four established staff associations that represent the interests of police officers are: the Superintendents' Association, the Local Inspectors' Association, the Overseas Inspectors' Association and the Junior Police Officers' Association. Through three levels of consultative forums - the Police Force Council, the Senior Consultative Committee, and the Junior Consultative Committee - the staff associations have regular opportunities to express their views on a wide variety of issues. In addition, with senior representatives from the Government available on the Police Force Council forum, issues which have service-wide implications can be addressed quickly and effectively. But as any one taking part in the forums can attest, it hasn't always been easy. The pay review for JPOs was particularly contentious, as CSP Jimmy Lee, formerly in charge of Staff Relations and Conditions of Service, well recalls. "The JPOA expressed their view through the Police Force Council (which is chaired by the Commissioner of Police and attended by senior officials from the Civil Service Bureau, Security Bureau and representatives from the Force staff associations) that, given the nature of police duties, the JPOA pay scale compared less favourably with that of the Urban Services Department Hawker Control Officers' pay scale. We concluded that there was a suitable case to argue to the Government, whose response fell short of JPOA expectation." Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong's transfer of sovereignty the matter dragged on for two years. But after much heated debate and discussions the Secretary for Civil Service set up a two-member consultancy team to look into the issue. Their recommendation was that the pay scale of the JPOs be adjusted and was later approved by the Legislative Council. It took effect on 1 April 1998. "Throughout the entire process the JPOA appreciated that CP Hui was very supportive. They saw that Mr Hui had personally attended many of the meetings and strongly argued the JPOA's case to the Administration,? recalls CSP Lee. "Consequently, the JPOA was aware that Force Management was on their side. In the end the Administration respected the CP's views in this matter. They also realised that the JPOA had a good point." Another issue, this time raised at the Junior Consultative Committee forum, that the Civil Service Bureau does not yet fully support was the staff associations' proposal to reduce the conditioned working hours from 51 to 48 per week reflecting hours worked by officers in other police forces around the world, including the mainland. Having examined the proposal, Force Management obtained policy approval from the Civil Service Bureau to carry out a six-month pilot scheme in selected formations to reduce working hours from 51 to 48 per week, beginning in April 1997. "Personally intervening, DCP MAN Tsang Yam-pui managed to convince the Civil Service Bureau to agree to the pilot scheme, although I don't know how he did it,"says CSP Lee. "My and SSP Staff Relations Debbie Chang's role is to maintain dialogue with the staff associations, whereas the bargaining and negotiating with the Central Administration is always done by Force senior management, whose contribution to the success of requests by the staff associations has been vital." In October 1997, the scheme was extended to a force-wide trial for 18 months. Subject to a review of the trial, Force Management will consider seeking formal approval from the Government to reduce the conditioned working hours per week from 51 to 48. "So far, it's been very positive,"says Mr Lee. "But we are still trying to convince the Administration of its merits, although I can understand their difficulties because the Administration not only deals with the police - they have to look at the wider implications for all disciplined services and departments throughout the Civil Service. That presents difficulties with junior police officers who ask why something they want cannot be achieved. Through our dealings with the staff associations we have built up a mutual trust. If we say we'll try our best on their behalf - we always do. We are very frank and open with them. Which they appreciate." (continued on page 4) Definitely appreciated by the JPOA was their request through the Junior Consultative Committee forum for Force Management to set up a working group to examine issues relating to acting appointments for JPOs.