Former deputy police commissioner, Kwok Yam-shu, was on Wednesday named the head of the Civil Service College.

He will take office on July 5.

Kwok, 57, retired in April after serving in the police force for 31 years.

In a statement, the government said Kwok was appointed following an open and in-service recruitment exercise.

Civil service chief Patrick Nip praised Kwok, saying he has distinguished leadership and management skills.

"Mr Kwok aspires to enhance training for the civil service, particularly as the backbone of the Government in ensuring the full and accurate implementation of the 'one country, two systems' principle," he said in the statement.

"I firmly believe that, with Mr Kwok's experience, capability and commitment, he can definitely add new impetus to our drive of strengthening civil service training and, as the inaugural Head, steer the further planning and development of the College."

The government said the Civil Service College, established last December, provides a variety of training programmes for public officers locally, on the mainland and overseas.

It added that the college accords the "highest priority" to enhancing their understanding of the Constitution of the country, the Basic Law and the national security law.