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More interactive staff survey set
A question of opinion: SQW's Harry Blud and Robin Tse peruse the final drafts of the staff questionnaire |
The second annual Staff Opinion Survey slated for September 27 is set to be even more comprehensive featuring input from staff associations and a cross section of ranks.
Preparations for this year's exercise involved the conducting of focus groups made up of association representatives and assorted officers from across the Force. Issues identified in the groups were incorporated into the questionnaire. Based on the groups' feedback, officers will not only be asked for their perceptions of the Force's performance, but also have the chance to offer suggestions on areas they feel require close attention.
The survey comes as the benefits and changes arising from participants' opinions gathered in last year's study continue to be introduced. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Service Quality) Harry Blud encouraged staff to take advantage of the comprehensive new survey which involved more of their input.
"This time around the whole process has been more interactive, more like a dialogue, with input from those with a vested interest, such as staff associations who helped reflect the views of their members," he said.
Mr Blud said a large sampling, or some 10 per cent of the 40,000-strong Force staff, would be asked to complete the questionnaire.
"We want staff to participate freely and candidly and offer their comments, whatever their views are," he said. "We do not take this as a managerial exercise. It is fundamental in identifying genuine areas of concern and then recommending how these can best be resolved."
Improvements attained from last year's exercise included the setting up of the Force Discipline Adjudication Unit and the conducting of Workload Studies in two Districts.
Service Quality Wing Senior Superintendent Robin Tse Shu-chun said improvements take time and staff should not expect changes overnight.
"Although this is an annual exercise, it takes a while for the things identified to be resolved. We will continue to regularly monitor opinions but do not expect a quick fix as some issues can take time," he said.
"Just because there is no immediate change does not mean it has not been addressed and will not be resolved."
The survey would again be conducted by Hong Kong University researchers to ensure independence and impartiality, and the questionnaires were now being finalised for distribution on September 27 through Training and Staff Relations Officers who would help designate appropriate staff to fill out the forms.
Participants completing the questionnaire seal it in an envelope before returning it to the TSRO.
The forms are then shipped to the researchers for analysis. Tallied results should be ready by December and passed to senior management for follow up action.
Staff associations have welcomed the enhanced study. Junior Police Officers Association Chairman Lau Kam-wah said: "We are very satisfied SQW went to considerable effort to arrange consultation meetings with our members on last year's survey results. This time, we are delighted to have the chance to meet survey researchers prior to the exercise and give our views. We are glad to see the new questionnaires have been designed to help reflect respondents' feelings and opinions. We hope it can help management gather as much feedback as possible to facilitate the enhancement of our general working environment."
Superintendents' Association Chairman Lung Hung-cheuk said: "We fully support the Force's initiatives in carrying out the survey and are happy that our concerns expressed in previous exercises have been addressed by management. We hope the upcoming findings can show whether or not improvements have been made in the respective areas."