Seven-year stay no more: police change requirement for recruitment

Starting from Friday, those who apply to become policemen will no longer be required to have lived in Hong Kong for seven years as long as they have the right of abode.

It paves the way for more Hongkongers of Chinese nationality born on the mainland and overseas to enter the force sooner, without the need to wait for seven years.

The Hong Kong Police Force announced on Wednesday that with effect from Friday (April 1), the Hong Kong residency requirement - “having lived in Hong Kong for at least seven years” - for recruiting police constables, probationary inspectors, and auxiliary police constables will be removed.

Instead, the applicants are only required to fulfill the criteria of being a permanent resident of the HKSAR.

A person of Chinese nationality born on the mainland or overseas to a Hong Kong parent has the right of abode in Hong Kong.

For non-Chinese, they have to stay in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than seven years before getting permanent residency.

“The adjustment to the residency requirement will enable the Hong Kong Police Force to align with the practice of other local disciplined services on relevant entry requirements, and maintain its competitiveness in the job market,” a police spokesman said.

On the other hand, applicants will face a new rule – they will have to undergo urine drug tests.

A “Voluntary Drug Test Scheme” was implemented by the Integrity Audit Action Group in late 2020. In line with the policy, the police will introduce urine drug tests in the recruitment process starting from April 1, after that all applicants submitting job applications will be arranged to undergo urine drug tests during the selection process.

He added that apart from launching a new series of recruitment videos through various platforms, the police will continue to hold Recruitment Experience and Assessment Days and deploy a promotion vehicle “Police Mobile Recruitment Station” to connect with potential candidates.

To further attract local and overseas students, the HKPF will continue to participate in the Education & Careers Expo. In addition, outreach programs including career talks and workshops for higher education institutions will be held later this year.

Applicants who are interested in applying for any of the police posts may submit applications online through the below website.