More posts under security framework

Wallis Wang

Authorities are planning to add three permanent directorate posts in the police force and another four permanent deputy director posts for correctional services, customs, fire services and immigration.

Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung said the new posts are in response to the continually changing environment of politics and police work.

At a Legislative Council security panel meeting yesterday, Tang said the three new police posts are police assistant commissioner and two chief superintendents.

The CSD, customs, FSD and Immigration Department will each have one more permanent deputy director, he said.

"Hong Kong's political environment has been changing constantly in recent years and police have to proactively enhance their public relations strategy to maintain the public's confidence in the force," Tang said.

"The risk of local terrorism is also increasing and police must improve their anti-terrorism work."

Tang said 18 percent of police positions are vacant at the moment. The 27,000-member force has been trying to attract talent through adjusting salaries and lifting the permanent resident requirement for job applicants.

He said police will consider the risk of foreign sanctions when purchasing equipment from overseas and will make sure there are sufficient equipment supplies.

Meanwhile, the undersecretary for security, Sonny Au Chi-kwong, said an advance passenger information system will be set up to prevent potential nonrefoulement claimants from arriving in Hong Kong and to enhance the anti-terrorism work.

The system requests airlines to provide passengers' personal information, including names, date of birth, nationality and passport number, to Hong Kong authorities at least 40 minutes before the departure of inbound flights.

Au said the Security Bureau is discussing drafting the bill with the Department of Justice and plans to submit it to Legco later this year.

He said the system would detect people who could endanger national security and affect Hong Kong's internal security and that residents and those exiting would not be affected.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com