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New recruit officers start training at STI
The first batch of 20 recruit Officers commenced their training at the Staff Training Institute (STI) on October 31. This is first Officers intake by the Department since October 2002.
There are 12 male and 8 female Officers, including 5 appointed through the Potential Officer Scheme. All the 15 direct-entry Officers are holders of university degrees or above, and 4 of the appointed staff are also degree holders.
Nearly 6 500 applications were received by the Department in the open recruitment exercise for Officers. Among them 358 qualified applicants made it to the final interview after passing rounds of physical test, written test and interviews, and 24 of them were recommended for appointment.
The second batch of about 17 Officers and Industrial Officers will soon report for duty when they complete appointment procedures. They will attend a 26-week training emphasising on knowledge and skills preparing them for correctional work, which also includes a two-week field placement at penal institutions.
Officer Wong Yi-wai, a Master in Civil Engineering, graduated from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in 2004. He was an intern engineer before joining CSD. He said that a career in correctional services was both challenging and meaningful as comprehensive rehabilitation services would help reduce recidivism through assisting offenders re-integrating into society after discharge.
Officer Kan Man-kit graduated from the Psychology Department of the University of Hong Kong in 2004. He was a member of the Correctional Services Department Rehabilitation Volunteer Group when it was introduced in late 2003. Services with the Group had not only enhanced his understanding of the services of the Department, but brought him closer to a decision of starting a career with CSD.
He said:“Through the volunteer services at penal institutions, I realise that the duty of corrections comprises safe custody and rehabilitation programme helping offenders to lead a new life after release. It is a very meaningful job and I want to become part of the team.”
Officer Chan Wing-yee, also a HKU graduate, is a Master in Geographic Information Systems. She hopes to contribute to stability of society by helping rehabilitated offenders in their course of returning to the community.
Officer Woo Tat-man is one of the 5 Officers appointed under the Potential Officer Scheme. He joined the Department in 1993 as an Assistant Officer II and subsequently attained a degree in Social Science at the Open University after years of continuous learning. He said he was determined to develop his career in CSD and had worked hard towards achieving this goal. He was glad to be appointed under the Scheme and added that he would seize the chance with an open mind to better equip himself for challenges ahead.
Approval was given in early 2005 for CSD to intake 45 staff members of various posts to fill up vacancies arising from natural wastage and to cater for the succession planning needs of the Department. The vacancies included 32 Officers, 5 Industrial Officers, 1 Clinical Psychologist and 7 Instructors. Some posts in the Officer and Industrial Officer grades were made available for front-line staff who met the requirements of in-service appointment schemes.
CSD’in-service appointment schemes include Potential Officer Scheme and Special Appointment Scheme for Assistant Officers I and II, and Potential Officer (Industries) Scheme for Instructors and Technical Instructors. The Department maintains the schemes to tap the experience of junior officers who demonstrate good potential for advancement, without having to meet the academic qualifications necessary for direct-entry candidates.
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