A total of 10 universities and tertiary institutes buzzed with applicants aspiring to join the Force as Police Inspectors (PI) between September 24 and October 9.

This "PI Express", an annual PI recruitment programme, was organised by Recruitment Division (RECDIV). Encouraged by its success in four universities last year, namely the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Polytechnic University, the recruitment programme was extended to another six tertiary institutes - City University, Baptist University, Lingnan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Open University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Institute of Education.

During the programme, RECDIV officers conducted career talks and initial screening at the universities, including height and weight measurement and eyesight test, targetting final year students. Qualified applicants were arranged to attend a written examination, and those successful will start PI training in January next year.

The students' response was overwhelming when RECDIV Woman Senior Inspector Veronica Lee gave career talks on the professionalism and diversity of police career. The programme attracted 788 applicants, of whom almost 700 qualified for attending the written examination.

The recruitment programme owed its tremendous success to the wide and effective publicity, as well as the enthusiastic support of the 10 tertiary institutes. Their Students Advisory Offices provided venues and facilities, and publicised the programme via their campus electronic media and websites.

Both RECDIV and the tertiary institutes are pleased with the results of the recruitment programme. The Student Advisory Officers hope that similar programmes would be organised to provide updated information on PI recruitment to potential applicants.

The Police Inspector Recruitment drive reaches out to local universities and tertiary institutes