ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS OF POLICE (Appointments)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Chief Secretary to state as at 31st October, 1957-

(a) the number of vacancies in the Police Force for Assistant Superintendents of Police;

(b) how many Inspectors who are now in the Force passed the Part I Higher Services Examination and are eligible for promotion to the rank of A.S.P.;

(c) how many of such qualified Inspectors have been promoted to be A.S.P's.; and

(d) how many Inspectors who have not qualified under the Part I Higher Services Scheme have been promoted to the rank of A.S.P.

The Acting Chief Secretary (Mr R. C. Hoffman): Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of vacancies in the Police Force for Assistant Superintendents of Police is 24. There are eight Inspectors of Police eligible for promotion to this rank. None has yet been promoted but their cases are now being considered by the Public Service Commission. Over recent years, five Inspectors of Police have been promoted to the rank of A.S.P. although they have not passed all the examinations required under Part I of the Scheme of Service.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Can the Hon. the Chief Secretary tell us whether these promotions were made by the Commissioner of Police or the Public Service Commission, and why those five who were unqualified were promoted to become A.S.P's, while none of the qualified were promoted?

Mr Hoffman: Mr Speaker, Sir, the promotions were made by the Public Service Commission, that is based on the recommendations of the Public Service Commission. The reason why no promotion has yet been made in regard to the Inspectors of Police who are already qualified for consideration for promotion is that their cases are now under consideration by the P.S.C. I should explain that these officers have only recently qualified for consideration for promotion.

As regards the other part of the question, the five Inspectors of Police who have already been promoted, these promotions have been over recent years. There is provision for the promotion of such officers who have passed the majority of the examinations required to qualify for promotion but not all. They have been promoted on the grounds of outstanding work and qualities of leadership and courage normally expected of more senior officers.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Sir, can the Hon. the Chief Secretary tell us whether these promotions are acting appointments or substantive Ones?

Mr Hoffman: They are substantive appointments.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar): Sir, are we to understand from the Hon. the Chief Secretary's reply that the higher a position a person holds in the Police Force, the more courageous he is?

Mr Hoffman: I merely suggested that there are other considerations apart from that of passing exanimations written and otherwise.