Michael Shum
Police have rolled out a new scheme to offer part-time post-retirement contracts to constables to take up patrol, report room or transport duties, instead of the usual full-time contracts.
The force previously had similar schemes for police officers up to the rank of chief inspector to work on time-limited full-time post-retirement contracts to alleviate its manpower crunch.
In an internal recruitment notice, the force's extension of service division said it launched a part-time post-retirement service contract scheme yesterday, which will only cover retired or soon-to-retire constables. The notice added: "Those employed under the new post-retirement scheme will only work at the patrol sub-unit or reporting room, or take up driving duties for the force's transport division.
"They will only have to work a minimum of one day to a maximum of three days per two-week cycle, and can choose from working one full shift or only half a shift."
Successful applicants will be employed on a one-year contract, while their pay will be linked to their final salary point before retirement, which can reach HK$235 per hour with Mandatory Provident Fund contributions, according to the notice.
Only police constables who have retired from the force no longer than three years, including from their full-time service or post-retirement contracts, will be eligible, it added.
They will also have to start their leave prior to retirement on or before February 28 next year and withdraw any Continued Service of Police Officers Beyond Prescribed Retirement Age Scheme application or finish the scheme before reaching 60 in order to apply for the latest scheme.
Application will close on October 15.
According to government statistics submitted to the Legislative Council's finance committee in April, there are over 6,800 vacancies within the police force, which is the highest among all government departments.
michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com
