Force mariners find attachment very rewarding

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For the first time ever, four veteran frontline Marine Police officers have spent six days in Singapore, studying some aspects of the work of the Singapore Police Coast Guard (SPCG), and found their attachment very rewarding.

Station Sergeants Kevin Chan Shu-po and Jack Chung Ping and Sergeants Table Wong Kin-tat and Francis Yung Hon-kin spoke to OffBeat about their observations after attending a six-day attachment programme in September.

The work of the Hong Kong Police and the SPCG have many things in common, mainly the important mission to tackle crime, illegal immigration, and smuggling as well as conducting searches and rescues at sea.

Shortly after being greeted by the Singapore Police Coast Guard, the four officers were assigned with different jobs. Mr Chan and Mr Wong joined a 12-hour overnight operation during attachment to a Special Task Squadron. They took part in an anti-crime "ambush" operation on a small boat, just 200 metres away from Malaysia.

The duo, both veteran small boat operators, watched a demonstration of interception and forced boarding with hand signals, which was a rather unique way of communication.

Mr Wong said: "While our Small Boat Division provides many chances for us to apply what we learn in our chores, our Singapore counterparts lack such opportunities. In the Lion City, the working environment is different with few fishermen there.

"Hong Kong is different from Singapore in the sense that we have a permanent command centre to provide command and logistical support to our frontline colleagues and we can seek help from the Government Flying Service when necessary," he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Chung and Mr Yung worked overnight on a patrol launch, having the chance to see for themselves the state-of-the-art facilities on board, including the electro-optical and radar surveillance system.

Mr Chung said: "In Singapore, the patrol launch is equipped with a portable steering remote control device. Instead of holding the wheel, crews are no longer confined to the wheel house while conducting berthing manoeurve."

The four officers then visited the Police Coast Guard Training School, where they were given a demonstration on training new recruits with simulated training facilities. Mr Chung, who worked as an instructor in the Marine Police Training School, was particularly interested in the host's training methods.

The four members also gave a presentation on the organisational structure, major roles and development of the Hong Kong Marine Police to senior SPCG members.

What is the most important thing they have learned from the attachment programme?

On conclusion of their duty trip, Mr Chung, Mr Yung and Mr Chan found the attachment programme very rewarding. They said the trip had provided them a golden opportunity to see for themselves the practices of marine policemen in the city state, and that the benefits were immeasurable.

Mr Wong said: "As a result of the programme, we have established an 'invisible' network at working level with our Singapore counterparts. This programme has helped us foster friendship with them and such informal links will never end. Even after coming back to Hong Kong, we continue exchanging our experience with them through e-mail and short message service."

The Force will reciprocate by arranging a similar attachment programme for SPCG officers next February.

Finding attachment very rewarding