Public Security Police (PSP) Commissioner Lei Siu Peng said Tuesdaythat despite a relatively high number of job vacancies in the police force that needed to be filled, there were still enough officers to serve the public and maintain law and order.
Lei said that the PSP currently employed about 4,500 officers, of which roughly 1,000 were working for the city’s Immigration Department, adding that on average, each officer served 199 locals and tourists on a daily basis.
The police chief also said that despite the fact that quite a few police officers were leaving the force every year, more than 100 people had joined the force last year. He added that there were enough officers to perform duties “including street patrols and handling tourists at our checkpoints,” according to The Macau Post Daily.
When asked by reporters about the prospects of extending the Barrier Gate’s opening hours with the possibility of having round-the-clock services at the checkpoint, Lei only said that the newly installed e-channel system was greatly helping locals and tourists cross the border, while adding that the final decision on an extension of the opening hours rested with the local government.
“Even if the opening hours are extended, the PSP has enough manpower to accommodate the change, so there is no need to worry,” said Lei, adding that the PSP would deploy more staff to the checkpoints if necessary.(macaunews)
