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Station merges to boost efficiency
 Close to home: EU NTN officers outside their new 'home' at Tai Hing Police Station |
A number of police stations are to be merged under a new scheme to better utilise resources. The Station Amalgamation Project will see re-distribution of resources at the Divisional Headquarters level leading to better allocation of manpower, service improvements and cost cuts.
The scheme, unprecedented for the Force, is still in its conceptual stage and amalgamation is expected to be fully implemented from 2001 onward. A trial of the scheme is now underway in Tuen Mun District and has already proven initial effectiveness. The District's three Divisions were being merged into two, improving efficiency through resource re-allocation.
The move would free up Tai Hing station by merging Tai Hing Division with Tuen Mun and Castle Peak Divisions. It would allow other formations to use the building while its reporting facility remained. Similar strategies were being considered for some other Districts across the five land Regions.
Director of Operations Dick Lee Ming-kwai stressed the Project would only involve re-distribution of Divisional HQ level staff and would not lead to redundancies.
"The aim is to re-distribute resources. No police stations will be closed and there will not be any redundancies except through natural wastage. A reasonable ratio for promotion will also be maintained," Mr Lee said. He added the scheme would not bring about any reductions to police manpower on the street either.
"Reporting facilities will continue to be provided and the vacated premises will be taken over by other operational police units. "Frontline services will not be reduced - on the contrary, the Police presence on the street will be enhanced," he said.
The Force would take into consideration all views passed on by the public and other parties during the trial scheme. The amalgamation exercise was a long-term project.