The Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCDS) submitted its report on the GSR for the disciplined services to the Chief Executive on November 27. The report was distributed to Force Management and the PFC SS on the same afternoon.

The Secretary for the Civil Service (SCS) has announced that she will undertake a three-month consultation exercise with the relevant departmental management, the staff sides, civil servants and the Public Service Panel of the Legislative Council; and has invited comments on the recommendations made in the report by the end of February 2009.

While acknowledging the gap between the recommendations in the report and the Force submission, and appreciating the expectations and concerns of officers, the Commissioner emphasised the importance of maintaining a rational approach to this issue, and to gain the understanding of the community during this challenging period.

Force Management will shortly initiate a Force-wide consultation through Major Formation Commanders, and will undertake a detailed examination of the recommendations, in preparation for a submission to SCS. The PFC SS will also conduct its own examination, and consult its members, prior to making a response to the Administration.

Force Management has worked closely with the PFC SS throughout the GSR process. The Commissioner undertook to continue to support the PFC SS in taking a rational approach to seek to achieve a fair and reasonable outcome to the GSR in the forthcoming months.

Deputy Commissioner Tsang Wai-hung, Director of Personnel and Training Tang Hau-sing, Assistant Commissioner (Personnel) Tang Kam-moon and members of the Personnel Wing GSR Team also attended the meeting.

In preparation for the consultation exercise and to keep Force members fully informed of developments, a presentation by Richard Morgan, CSP Conditions of Service and Discipline and Kung Wai-kwok, SP SD GSR was given at the monthly meeting of Commissioner Rank Officers on December 2. Two similar briefings have been arranged for officers at CIP to CSP ranks in the Arsenal House Auditorium, PHQ on December 9 and 15. A third briefing to Training and Staff Relations Officers as well as inspectorate officers nominated by their Major Formation Commanders will be held on December 16. Formation Commanders will arrange briefings for Junior and Inspectorate Police Officers in their respective formations. They will be provided with briefing package prepared by the Personnel Wing GSR Team.

The GSR Report is available publicly via the website of the Joint Secretariat for the Advisory Bodies on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service Joint Secretariat - www.jsscs.gov.hk/reports/en/scds_gs_08/index.htm. Officers can also visit the GSR Website on POINT for the gist of the recommendations affecting the Force.