The HKSAR Government announces that the Chief Executive, in council, has decided to fully accept the recommendations set out in the Report on the Review of the Grade Structure of disciplined forces and to adjust the starting, salary increment and maximum salary points of the disciplined forces. If approved by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council, it will be implemented from the first day of the month approved by the Finance Committee.
The report's recommendations include an increase of 1 pay point and a 2 pay point increase in the maximum pay point for officers, an increase of 2 pay points for the Sheriff and 4 pay points for the maximum salary point, and a 2 pay point increase for the Chief of Police and 3 pay points for the maximum salary point.
According to the Hong Kong Police Force, from 1 April 2019, eligible inspectors/senior inspectors will have monthly salaries of HK$47,690 to HK$88,250 and officers from HK$25,380 to HK$40,610.
The report also proposes to increase the number of salary jumping points for good performers such as the Police Force, immigration department and fire services department, and also proposes to add additional posts of deputy commissioner, deputy customs officer or deputy commissioner in the Immigration Department, the Fire Services Department, the Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong and the Correctional Services Department.
The Civil Service Bureau of the HKSAR Government said that the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the Executive Council, would consider a number of relevant factors, including the rationale for the proposals, the opinions of department managers and staff, the impact of the proposals on the morale of disciplined force personnel, the government's financial and social opinions, etc., and would submit the proposals to the Legislative Council as soon as possible.
The Disciplinary Force Grade Structure Review covers approximately 63,000 Disciplined Force personnel in 29 grades and over 100 grades. Choi Kang Chang, chairman of the Standing Committee on Salaries and Conditions of Service of Disciplined Personnel, said that if the proposal is implemented, the remuneration of the disciplined forces will be in line with the requirements of the disciplined forces today, and also coincide with the complexity and hardships inherent in the work of the disciplined forces. As a result, disciplined forces can attract, retain and motivate talented people with appropriate talents.
On 9 December 2020, the Legislative Council of Hong Kong approved the additional appropriation of $62.6 billion for 2019-2020. Of the more than $60 billion, more than $3 billion was allocated to the Police Force. The data shows that there are now more than 36,000 officers in the Force.
At the end of 2019, when the Legislative Council of Hong Kong was considering the bill on salary adjustment for civil servants in 2019-2020, the opposition asked the Legislative Council Finance Committee to separate the police salary adjustment from civil servants. The move sparked letters from several civil service groups expressing opposition. At the same time, a large number of Hong Kong citizens came to the Legislative Council building to protest and submitted a petition letter to the Legislative Council members to fully support the Legislative Council Finance Committee in passing the salary increase of the Hong Kong Police Force, so as to show that all Hong Kong people thank the police officers for sticking to their posts with their lives and stopping violence and chaos.
Column Editor-in-Chief: Hong Junjie Text Editor: Hong Junjie
Source: Author: Zhen He