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Following is a question by Dr Hon Helena Wong and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, in the Legislative Council today (November 20):
Question:
The Police Force introduced equal pay for equal work for male and female police officers as early as in the 1970s and, since the 1990s, all newly recruited female police officers have been allowed to carry a firearm whilst on duty. Some members of the public have indicated that as quite a number of women have participated in public activities such as demonstrations and processions in recent years, they are very concerned about whether there are enough female police officers and their work arrangements. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the respective numbers of male and female police officers and the percentages of women in various ranks in the Police Force since 1990, and set out the relevant figures in the Annex 1;
(b) whether the Police have taken any measure to increase the proportion of women in the Police Force; if they have, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;
(c) whether the Police have made use of the Gender Mainstreaming Checklist to review the accoutrements, the contents of training, the environment and nature of work, and the promotion system for male and female police officers; if they have, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and
(d) of the respective average waiting time for male and female police officers to receive training in the Police Tactical Unit at present?
Reply:
President,
For the past decades, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) has taken various measures to enhance female police officers' status in the light of social development, including introduction of equal pay for male and female police officers, implementing the arrangement for all newly recruited female police officers to carry firearms while on duty, and allowing female police officers to join the Police Tactical Unit (PTU). Based on the principle of equal opportunities, the HKPF has maintained a level playing field in various areas of human resource management, such as recruitment, training, posting and promotion. Female and male police officers are equally treated in all units within the HKPF and there is no fundamental difference in job nature.
The reply to the various parts of Dr Hon Wong's question is as follows:
(a)and(b) As an Equal Opportunities Employer, the HKPF welcomes any earnest person meeting the entry requirements, including academic qualifications, language proficiency and fitness standards, and sharing the HKPF's value, to serve the community by joining the Force.
There are currently about 4 400 female police officers, representing approximately 15.6% of the total number of disciplined officers. About 14.5% of the officers at rank and file level are female officers, and for ranks at Inspectors and above, the percentage of female officers is about 25.8%. The percentages of female police officers among disciplined officers in the past five years are listed in Annex 2.
The HKPF has not maintained a breakdown of statistics of male and female police officers in various ranks as well as the percentages of female police officers in various ranks for the last two decades.
(c) In the procurement of uniform and accoutrements for officers, the HKPF has adopted the gender mainstreaming concept and has consulted both male and female police officers. Having regard to the differences in the body shape of male and female and the feedback received, the HKPF has made suitable improvements to the materials and design of uniform and accoutrements, such as improving the design of bullet-proof vest and procuring pistols with handles of different sizes to suit the needs of male and female officers. These would not only help enhance the safety of frontline police officers, but also help improve the overall operational efficiency of the HKPF.
For training programmes in the Police College, including in-class examinations/tests, practical training and foot drills, uniform standards are applied across the board to male and female trainees. As regards physical training, on account of the differences in physical attribute and body structure between male and female, the HKPF has adopted an entry fitness requirement based on gender qualities. The Police College would observe the scientifically-justified test scores and pass indicators in assessing the fitness levels of male and female trainees throughout the course of training.
In terms of working environment, the HKPF has ensured that sufficient facilities for all officers are in place, including gender-specific rest rooms. Manpower deployment is based on operational needs rather than gender. As a matter of fact, there are no major differences in the discharge of duties between male and female police officers, and they share equal chance in terms of deployment to various posts and assumption of different roles. Having said that, specific cases, such as those of domestic violence and sexual offence, are to be handled by officers who are of the same sex with the victims. In addition, a Tango Company, which comprises female police officers, is set up to render support in tasks such as crowd management on top of their normal duties. District Commanders may mobilise officers of this Tango Company to meet operational needs.
As regards the selection of officers for promotion, all police officers meeting the criteria may voluntarily attend a selection test, in which their character, ability, experience and any qualifications prescribed for the promotion rank will be assessed. All eligible candidates are selected on an equal basis in accordance with the Civil Service Regulations, regardless of sex, age, marital status, race and terms of appointment.
(d) After graduation from the Police College for 12 months, officers may be nominated to receive PTU training. The current waiting time is around two to four years with no difference between male and female police officers.
Ends/Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:20
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