Finance, Administration & Planning

      In 2001, the Finance Wing aimed to establish and foster a greater sense of responsibility in the management of financial resources to achieve cost effectiveness. The record of our achievements is set out below. Our priorities for the future are to achieve the overall target of five per cent cumulative savings by 2002/03, and to further delegate financial authority to our budget holders.

      The aim of the Administration Wing in 2001 was to provide a suitable Human Resource Management framework for the civilian staff and to motivate them to work capably for the effective support of Police operations. We explored cost-effective measures to deliver the service and promoted good civilian staff relations. We can look back on a year of considerable achievement. As for future priorities, we will continue to cultivate maximum responsiveness to change, to maintain staff morale, and to ensure effective communications.

      Over the year, the broad objective of the Planning and Development Branch was to bring about sustained improvements in the quality of accommodation both for our own staff as well as the facilities used by the public. This was achieved by the construction of the various new buildings detailed below. We also intend to achieve greater efficiency by combining various facilities and to maximise IT development through the adoption of the intelligent building concept. By providing opportunities to adopt environmentally and energy efficient buildings, we will continue to project the image of a professional and well-equipped Force well prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Finance Wing

2001/02 Financial Result

      For the financial year ending March 31, 2002, the total expenditure of the Force was estimated to be $12.3 billion, amounting to about six per cent of the Government's total budget for the year. Of this allocation, salaries and allowances account for about $10.8 billion, with the rest going towards departmental expenses and capital items. Fines, penalties and other fees and charges are expected to produce about $450 million in revenue.

Enhanced Productivity Programme

      Under a three-year programme (2000/01 to 2002/03), the Force has achieved savings of $248 million for 2001/02 and met the prescribed target of two per cent of recurrent expenditure. We are on schedule to achieving the overall target of five per cent cumulative savings by 2002/03.

One-line Vote

      The Force has been a 'one-line vote' department since 1999/2000. Expenditures under various traditional sub-heads are now pooled under the sub-head of operational expenses. Subject to prescribed conditions, the Force has the flexibility to vire funds between categories under this sub-head without having to seek prior approval. This arrangement has facilitated decision making in resource management considerably. For the financial year ending March 31, 2002, this flexibility was invoked for some $275 million of departmental expenditure.

Administration Wing

Civilian Administration

      For the performance of duties that do not require the exercise of constabulary powers, the Force has a civilian establishment of over 5,800. They are deployed throughout the Force to provide administrative, secretarial and technical support services to Police operations.

Administrative Initiatives

      A total of 618 officers in 19 designated grades were given approval to retire under the Voluntary Retirement (VR) Scheme and they were released in 2001. Employment of contract staff was arranged to cope with posts where replacements are required. By the end of December 2001, 190 posts in departmental and common grades had been deleted under the VR Scheme. Training programmes have been organised for members of VR grades who choose to remain in the service to equip them with new skills and the knowledge to cater for their career development.

      A restricted tender was issued for contracting-out translation services to meet the demand for such services arising from the departure of 100 Police Translators under the VR Scheme at the end of 2001. Preparation is also in hand to issue an open tender to identify service providers for each of the Regions as a long-term measure.

'We aim to develop projects with sound operational and economic justifications.'

Planning and Development Branch

      2001 saw the completion of the new $161 million Tactical Training Complex at the Police Training School. This complex simulates realistically the urban environment in Hong Kong and improves the quality and cost effectiveness of tactical training for police officers. Work commenced in late 2001 on the construction of a new Police Dog & Police Search Unit Complex at Sha Ling to provide permanent facilities for both units that are now housed in temporary premises. At a cost of $159 million, the complex is scheduled for completion in 2003.

      Two other major projects were under construction during the year. The Station Improvement Project involves the modernisation and refurbishment of 59 police stations at a cost of $649 million. The project, due for completion in 2002, will provide better facilities for the public and improve the working environment for staff. The construction of the $3 billion new Police Headquarters at Arsenal Street is also progressing well and remains on schedule for completion in 2004.

      Five other major capital projects are at various stages of planning. These include a new Regional Headquarters and Operational Base complex for New Territories South, which has recently received funding support from the Legislative Council's Public Works Subcommittee. We are also pressing ahead with planning four other projects, namely a new Regional Headquarters and Operational Base for Hong Kong Island, Kowloon West, and Kowloon East; plus a new Marine North Divisional Base for Tolo Harbour.