The Nepalese living in YTDIST accounts for 40 per cent of the Nepalese population in Hong Kong. Owing to cultural differences, they are less inclined to integrate and communicate with the local people and the police. Therefore, YTDIST has strived to forge a closer relationship and maintain proactive communication with the NEC community by establishing in March this year a team to engage the Nepalese community, known as the Nepalese Task Force.

Speaking at the opening of the language course, YTDIST Deputy Commander Paul Lau encouraged the trainees to make good use of the course and apply at work what they would learn.

Emphasising that enlisting the support of the ethnic minorities has been one of his District's Operational Targets for years, Mr Lau expected that the course would enhance the abilities of frontline officers, including members of the Nepalese Task Force, to provide quality service to the Nepalese community.

Thirty YTDIST frontline officers are attending the course, which is being conducted by Mr Suen Yuk-shing, a Nepalese interpreter. It is held once per week, lasting for one and a half hour and covering basic Nepalese vocabularies, useful phrases, simple dialogue as well as Nepalese customs and festivals.

Prior to this Nepalese Language Course, YTDIST successfully organised an Urdu Language Course in October last year and March this year for officers at ranks from Police Constable to Chief Inspector. Following this series of language training, YTDIST is expected to organise an "NEC Variety Show" in Tsim Sha Tsui on November 8 to further strengthen ties with the NEC community.

Officers take a great interest in their language course

The language course in session