Hong Kong police accept 137 city students at mainland Chinese universities following year-long talent trawl
- Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu says 137 students accepted out of 686 applications from residents studying at mainland universities
- Initiative is part of efforts to reverse flagging interest in joining the force, with some physical and language requirements relaxed earlier this year
Hong Kong’s police commissioner has said 137 students from the city in their final year at mainland Chinese universities have been accepted into the force following a recruitment drive targeting young residents living across the border.
Police chief Raymond Siu Chak-yee on Saturday said the force had received 686 applications from Hong Kong students on the mainland since the university-targeted exercise launched in November last year.
“Our recruitment strategy will be continuously reviewed in the hope that we can be more effective in recruiting outstanding people to join the force,” he said after attending a police passing-out ceremony.
The initiative is part of a raft of measures to reverse flagging interest in joining the force, allowing eligible young people to attend talks and file applications during special recruitment events held by Hong Kong police in mainland cities.
The acceptance rate of about 20 per cent during the mainland university recruitment drive is higher than those recorded by local efforts to attract personnel.
In the year ending March 31, the force hired 554 recruits after receiving 4,606 applications for rank-and-file positions, an acceptance rate of 12 per cent.
Siu said police had received significantly more applications this year, with a decision in May to relax weight, height and language requirements paying off.