Striving for greater efficiency
The Force has drawn up a plan to save about $280 million in the coming financial year under the Efficiency Savings Programme (ESP) with minimum impact on service provision and Force members.
In an interview with OffBeat, Deputy Commissioner (Management) Fung Siu-yuen said a number of principles had been adopted in formulating the plan.
"The principles are avoiding a reduction in frontline services and coverage; covering all staff cuts through natural wastage; minimising the impact on any particular rank or grade, and consulting with units affected by any proposed changes to ensure they are kept fully briefed on any decisions made."
The savings plan is part of an overall programme to meet the Government's target of an 11 per cent budget cut between 2004/05 and 2008/09. The Force had already slashed its expenditure by about $240 million in the Financial Year 2003/04.
Mr Fung said: "While the plan will on the whole have little impact on the Force, as well as the promotion prospects of Force members in the coming financial year, further savings in the subsequent years will definitely create an impact, however big or small."
To make early preparations, a steering committee will be formed early this year to map out the way forward and explore ways to further restructure and re-engineer the Force and re-prioritise its work.
The committee, to be chaired by Deputy Commissioner (Management), will comprise Deputy Commissioner (Operations), the four Senior Assistant Commissioners in charge of their respective programme areas, Director of Finance, Administration and Planning and Financial Controller.
In Financial Year 2004/05, about 670 disciplined and 230 civilian posts will be cut under the ESP. Explaining this, Mr Fung said: "About half of the deleted disciplined posts will come from training-reserves for new recruits and Police Tactical Unit while nearly 90 of the axed civilian posts are in fact vacant.
"The remaining posts have been identified following streamlining and re-engineering of services, including making use of high technology in reducing manpower."
Citing examples, he said the Shek Kip Mei and Sham Shui Po police stations would be merged this year to better utilise resources. The merging would result in more resources being assigned to frontline operational duties. Moreover, post savings had been achieved following the Judiciary's decision to merge the Western Magistrates' Courts with the Eastern Magistrates' Courts. Thanks to the use of high technology, about 60 staff members would also be re-deployed after the use of closed-circuit television monitoring system in the Border District.
Mr Fung said: "At this stage, there are no immediate plans to cut expenses on Disciplined Services Overtime Allowances, but of course, officers should continue to be prudent in granting allowances. There will be no changes to the additional voluntary training hours for auxiliary officers and the policy on re-employment of retired officers."
The Force has adopted a bottom-up approach in formulating its savings plan, which is based on suggestions put forward by Formations. To ascertain the feasibility of cutbacks, the Force has conducted pilot schemes to assess the impact of proposals like merging of posts and office general registries.
Speaking on formulating the savings plan, Mr Fung admitted it was difficult to cut expenditure and, at the same time, minimise its impact on services to the public without significantly increasing staff workload.
"The most important thing is that Force members should realise that every one has a role to play in reducing the Government's deficits. We appreciate that our colleagues well understand the need to trim spending.
"Under the ESP, staff members can contribute by adopting a new thinking in their work and in accomplishing tasks in a more efficient and effective way," he added.
Mr Fung speaking on efforts to minimise impact of savings plan