Good value: DMS Douglas Lau with facilitators and JPOs discussing the upcoming Living-the-Values Workshops Wave III

Director of Management Services Douglas Lau Yuk-kuen said the themes were designated through feedback taken from last year's Staff Opinion Survey which identified internal communication as an area needing improvement. He said staff and management agreed the issue should be a long-term Force goal.

Meanwhile, imprudence in officers' private lives and taking advantage of their police position were issues rated less than favourably in a separate public survey conducted at the same time.

"This is why in the forthcoming workshops, we would like to encourage officers of all ranks to raise questions regarding these issues and offer suggestions on how the negative perception can best be addressed," Mr Lau said.

"In the forthcoming workshops, we would like to encourage officers of all ranks to raise questions and offer suggestions"

Led by local commanders acting as facilitators, the workshops would study concluded disciplinary cases, such as those from the Complaints Against Police Office, and all facilitators have been issued handbooks on conducting the workshops.

"Having JPOs kick-off the latest round of workshops would allow their facilitators, essentially their commanders, to have first-hand knowledge of problems within the formation and to identify solutions to the problems at the local level," Mr Lau said.

"Facilitators would also be responsible for compiling views expressed by their subordinates so JPOs' concerns could be taken to the next-higher level of workshops. This way, facilitators can best serve their role as the bridge between management and frontline officers.

"Views gathered from the different workshops would then be processed, evaluated and carefully studied for their feasibility."

After the introduction of the Force Vision, Statement of Common Purpose and Values in 1996, Wave I and II of the Living-the-Values Workshops were conducted in mid-1997 and early 1999 respectively, inviting staff opinion on how to best meet these.

Suggestions for improvements collected from the workshops would be considered for implementation through the Force Staff Suggestion Scheme. "Enhancing officers' integrity and boosting internal communication are long-term goals and every Force member, irrespective of rank, has a role to play.

"I would like to call on all to actively participate in the workshops and offer suggestions to help improve our service quality," Mr Lau said.

All-out support!

Police Tactical Unit Delta Company, Hong Kong Island Emergency Unit and Tsing Yi Division were chosen to trial the Living-the-Values Wave III Workshops in mid-August. OffBeat spoke to them for their thoughts on this latest Force initiative.

Delta Coy Woman Police Constable Sin Siu-ling: "It was a good idea to let JPOs start the workshops. Our commanders had a better idea of the problems encountered by frontliners with the two parties striving to solve them together. Senior officers were willing to listen and value our opinions. I think officers should adopt a positive attitude to the workshops and make the best use of this opportunity to express their views."

EU HKI PC Wong Ka-lung: "Through sincere and frank discussion, we not only let our commanders know us better but also gained a wider perspective on different issues and came to realise our commanders' situation. There is not always an instant answer to some issues and what we need to do is work together to find the best solution."

Tsing Yi Station Sergeant Wong Chung-ming: "Having attended Wave I and II, I came to realise the latest one was something different - there was a real effort on the part of Senior Management to understand what was on our minds and a strong will to improve. Officers should take this opportunity to voice their ideas."

EU HKI Facilitator, Superintendent Yiu Kai-bor: "I was glad to see during our workshops, quite a number of officers who were usually not very outspoken, were eager to speak, some offering brilliant ideas. Often, problems arise from misunderstanding and the workshops were an excellent channel for us to clear these and build mutual trust.

"Though we might not have an instant answer to everything, we could still minimise the harmful effects through communication, understanding and support."

Facilitator and former Tsing Yi Divisional Commander Lo Tat-fai: "The workshops were really time-consuming and required a lot of effort. However, instead of a burden, they were a valuable chance for me to better understand my staff and clear any barriers. This helped a lot in my day-to-day work as a DVC.

"I think every Facilitator should make the most of the workshops by listening carefully and patiently to the participants and share their experiences so that both benefit."

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