Formations, Bureaux, and Units with new projects or services, which have been implemented since January 2007 but had not participated in the last Scheme, are eligible for the coming Scheme. No theme has been set for the Scheme this year, in a bid to encourage more staff involvement and provide a wider scope for innovation.

A total of 25 entries were submitted for the 2007/08 biennial Scheme, with the Yau Tsim District team eventually capturing the championship, Eastern District the second place, and Sha Tin District the third place.

SQW Chief Inspector (Service Enhancement) Ade Lam, who was the leader of the Yau Tsim champion team, shared her experience of joining the Scheme with potential contenders: "The key factor is staff engagement. Before joining the Scheme, I engaged my staff and asked for their 'consensus', making them really think and do what they considered good for the Force, in addition to their busy work. Once a consensus was reached, the team became motivated and did their best to face all difficulties and challenges during the preparation stage. It was indeed a very memorable experience for all team members."

The process of the coming Award Scheme will be refined to enhance its transparency and user-friendliness, and to promote best practices within the Force. The refinement will include a detailed breakdown of marks for the assessment criteria in line with the revised marking system adopted for the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2009; SQW briefing sessions for participating teams on preparation at various stages, and publicity on the participating and winning projects to promote best practices in the Force.

In addition to Force-wide publicity via POINT and OffBeat, CIP Lam will attend Regional Commanders' Conferences to seek support for the Scheme from Regional Commanders.

Initial entries to the Scheme must reach SQW by February 5, and written submissions by March 30.

Further information about participation guidelines, assessment criteria and entry form are available on SQW website and "What's New" on POINT.