Police unions voice fury over plans to force current staff to retire 5 years earlier than new recruits

All four police staff associations have issued an open letter expressing "utmost dissatisfaction" over the decision to force current staff to retire five years earlier than new recruits.

Chief Executive Leung Chun-yin said in his policy address last week that the mandatory retirement age for new recruits to the disciplined services, such as the police and fire services, would rise from 55 to 60, with no change for serving officers.

The letter issued by the police associations, which represent officers of all ranks, calls for staff to be able to choose whether to retire at the age of 55 or 60.

Joe Chan Cho-kwong, chairman of the Junior Police Officers' Association, also dismissed civil service minister Paul Tang Kwok-wai's claim that the next generation of police would miss out on promotions if current staff were allowed to remain in their jobs for the five extra years.

"The government would know within a month when and who is retiring … and adjust its policies accordingly," Chan said, citing a similar situation in the early 1990s when staff were asked to choose a pension option.

"Compared to the British colonial government, this administration under CY Leung and Tang Kwok-wai has no conscience, and has been anything but reasonable," Chan added.