Fresh force: Recruits swear in at the Police Training School.

Police have inducted 180 recruit constables, its largest intake since January 2002.

The 150 men and 30 women were sworn in at the Police Training School today, pledging to uphold the force's values and ensure a safe and stable society.

About 20% are university graduates and the rest have completed secondary school. They were selected through a new, competency-based system implemented last October.

Applicants are selected not only for their academic qualifications but also their judgement, communication skills, knowledge, confidence, resource management skills, personality, physical fitness and abilities in community and customer focus. If an applicant applies for a post of probationary inspector, their leadership and staff management skills will be assessed also.

6,000 applications

Following the recruitment freeze exemption granted for 2004-06, Police can recruit 950 officers, including not more than 50 probationary inspectors, before March 31. Since October, about 6,000 applications have been received for recruit police constables, an average of 850 per month.

A total of 393 recruit police constables and 10 probationary inspectors have been recruited so far. Police will continue to take on about 500 police constables and 40 probationary inspectors within the financial year.

With the introduction of e-applications and a streamlined selection process, the average processing time for applications has been reduced from five to four months, subject to the number of applications received during the period.

The next intake of recruit police constables is scheduled for September. People interested in joining the force can visit the Police Recruitment website or call 2860 2860.