Welfare

The Personnel Services Branch (PSB) provides a wide range of support
services for Force members and their families. During the year, PSB staff
conducted 4 603 casework interviews and made 7 446 visits to sick and
injured officers in hospital or at their homes.

Family life education continued to play an important part in the welfare
programme, with emphasis on good parental guidance to the children. The
branch has also pursued an initiative in promoting a healthy life style and
family values amongst members of the Force.

Psychological services, including professional counselling and education,
were provided to Police officers, civilian staff and their immediate family
members to help them cope with the high level of stress associated with
Police work and in events of personal or emotional difficulties. Critical
incident stress debriefing services were available to officers involved in
difficult or dangerous operations such as the Garley Building fire disaster.

Other services included support groups for officers and their family
members and stress management training to new recruits. A recent,
successful project was the provision of conflict management training to
officers to enhance their efficacy in handling potential conflict situations.

The branch's Police Catering Division continued to monitor canteens in
Police formations with emphasis on hygiene and the provision of
nutritious and value-for-money food. The division arranged the supply of
10 000 meals to officers on operational duties in the field during the
Handover Ceremony. It also provided catering support for Police officers
during the WB/IMF Annual Meetings.

The Police Welfare Fund has been the major source of finance for all
welfare activities within the Force. In all, 1 634 children of regular and
Auxiliary Police officers were awarded bursaries from the two Police
Education Trusts to help them further their education.

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