Quick WIT: ACP T Yip Kwok-keung in discussion with WIT members and other officers

In this special feature, OffBeat looks at the important role of Force Work Improvement Teams

Continuous enhancement of service quality and promotion of life-long learning have been among the Force's major objectives in recent years. And Work Improvement Teams (WITs) were set up in different formations in 1995, with the help of the Service Quality and Training Wings, to facilitate these.

WITs comprised of disciplined and civilian officers who attended training courses in management, communication, problem analysis and solving, and facilitation skills before forming small groups to meet regularly to discuss and help solve general problems encountered by respective formations.

Members served as a bridge between Force Management and staff, and through active participation in problem solving, they also helped promote a learning culture.

Their work was greatly facilitated by the Work Improvement Team Data Base established by SQW last October. Being a bank of suggestions raised by WITs and feedback from their respective supervisors, the Data Base has proved a valuable source of information for WIT members across the Force.

The Teams have gone from strength to strength in recent years, with 60 now operating Force-wide. They were joined by 180 officers from different formations in five two-day seminars organised jointly by the Training Development Bureau and Service Quality Wing at the Police Sports and Recreation Club, from March 6 to April 12.

Assistant Commissioner (Training) Yip Kwok-keung joined 40 participants in their group discussion on April 11, looking at topics like communication and creative thinking, and the role of the facilitator. He dicussed a number of management issues and shared experiences with the officers.

"Difficulties in our day-to-day work are unavoidable, that is why we need our WIT members to put their heads together and find solutions - they are the think-tanks of their formations!" Mr Yip said.

Citing views expressed in staff surveys calling for more training, Mr Yip said WITs would help contribute to meeting the demand.

"Training opportunities abound in the Force. Active discussion and endeavours in problem solving are in themselves a good learning process from which WIT members can benefit invaluably.

"And by putting the knowledge on training and facilitation skills to good use in their own formations, members are also enhancing internal communication and promoting Force learning culture," he said.

"We can see computer-based training is the way forward, so the WIT Data Base is indispensable."

The workshop saw participants actively express their views on a wide variety of topics and support them with interesting examples. Many said they felt greatly enriched. Hong Kong Island Emergency Unit Sergeant Fung Kai-hong said: "I have learned from this workshop that feasible suggestions we raise often get to the Senior Management and are adopted."

Central District Senior Inspector Yiu Cheong-leung said: "Our instructors use real examples to make their points, instead of going into heavy detail or theory. I think WITs are a valuable tool for internal communication and promoting a learning culture, and deserve further development."

Police Tactical Unit Headquarters Chief Inspector Lai Chi-man said: "Joining WITs might bring an additional workload, but what we are doing is for the overall well-being of the Force. We are more than willing to contribute to such a fruitful investment."

SQW Executive Officer Dickson Yun, who briefed workshop participants on the WIT Data Base, said: "With this Data Base and experience sharing, a suggestion currently not feasible in a formation might prove extremely useful for other units.

"Suggestions adopted might also be considered for Staff Suggestion Scheme awards. Great satisfaction and recognition comes from your suggestion being adopted and appreciated."

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