More than 6 500 regular and auxiliary officers and their family members participated in the Auxiliary Police Sports and Family Day on May 20 at the Police Sports and Recreation Club. Commandant of Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) Yang Joe-tsi and Deputy Commandant HKAPF Cheng Man-sum kicked off the day with an eye-dotting ceremony for a lion dance staged by the Hong Kong Police Chinese Wushu Club.

A variety of programmes were organised for the participants, including a performance by the HKAPF Band, a police dog show, parent-child martial art and an equipment exhibition by the Counter Terrorism Response Unit. In addition, the five Auxiliary Regions and various sports clubs set up 15 game booths.

The day reached its climax with an inter-disciplined services tug-of-war contest among the regular Police Force, the Correctional Services Department, the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Immigration Department and the HKAPF. FSD beat the HKAPF in the final to win the championship.

Director of Operations Tang Ping-keung, Assistant Commissioner (Support) Lam Hiu-tong and Senior Superintendent (Auxiliary Support) Mark Anstiss also joined the event. Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, Mr Tang expressed his appreciation to auxiliary members for the assistance they provide to regular officers in maintaining law and order. He gave special thanks to the families of auxiliary members for their understanding and support.

Mr Tang emphasised that the Auxiliary Police face many challenges, such as manpower. Recognising this, the Commissioner of Police has approved a scheme for eligible auxiliary members to extend their membership beyond the normal retirement age of 55. The scheme earned a round of applause from auxiliary members.