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Hong Kong’s police force is grappling with a vacancy rate of 17.4 percent, with 5,765 unfilled positions as of March this year, Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung revealed on Wednesday.
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The figure remains consistent with the past three years’ data, while recruitment efforts are showing signs of improvement, said Tang.
In the current fiscal year, the police aim to hire 130 probationary inspectors and 1,140 constables. Tang noted that the number of applicants has recently increased, indicating that the force’s multi-pronged recruitment strategies—including targeted outreach and promotional campaigns—are yielding results.
Amid broader government plans to cut the civil service headcount by 2 percent in both the 2026/27 and 2027/28 fiscal years, Tang assured that the police would maintain operational efficiency by reprioritizing tasks, optimizing manpower allocation, and leveraging technology.
"The HKPF will ensure that the adjustment in establishment will not affect the efficiency and provision of services, and that it will continue to provide the public with high quality and efficient policing services,” said Tang.
Roundtable lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun raised concerns about the police’s image among young people, particularly following the 2019 protests and what authorities described as a “color revolution.”
Tang acknowledged that misinformation and fabricated narratives had initially misled some youths, fostering negative perceptions of law enforcement. However, he argued that time and court proceedings had helped clarify the truth, leading many to regret their earlier beliefs.
To further bridge the gap, the police have intensified youth engagement through initiatives such as the Junior Police Call program, which aims to foster understanding of police work and dispel misconceptions.
Tang expressed confidence that these efforts, combined with broader societal reflection, would continue to improve trust between young people and the force.
