According to documents submitted to the Legislative Council, there has been a continuing decline in the force's turnover rate, from 4.46 percent in 2019/20 to 2.89 percent in 2021/22. Officers left for reasons like retirement, resignation, expired contracts, and death.

However, the declining trend also applied to the force's recruitment, dipping the number from 874 in 2019/20 to 754 in 2020/21 and further to 654 in 2021/22.

Tang pointed out in his written reply to lawmakers that the force has devised human resources plans and done strategic planning to step up recruitment, training, and professional development.

The security chief also expected the two schemes launched earlier, which extend officers' retirement age and allow them to continue to serve the force, can retain over 17,000 officers in the next decade.

Tang added the force has been adopting a proactive strategy, and the recruitment work changes from time to time depending on the actual situations in the labor markets.

The force also launched promotions through different media and social networks and regularly holds recruitment day and experience activities, Tang continued and said their recruitment covers universities as well.