7-Year Residency Requirement Canceled as Thousands of Vacancies in HK Police Remain Unfilled

Police stand guards as a prison van arrive High Court on the first day of trial of Tong Ying-kit, the first person charged under a new national security law, in Hong Kong, on June 23, 2021. Tyrone Siu/Reuters

The Hong Kong Police Force has been facing difficulties filling more than 5,000 job vacancies after the turmoil that engulfed the city due to the government’s unpopular anti-extradition bill.

To attract more applicants, the enrollment requirement of seven years residency in Hong Kong was canceled in April, allowing candidates that have permanent residency in Hong Kong to apply for a job.