“Guarding Our City”, the latest promotional video of the Hong Kong Police Force, officially premiered on January 23. According to Commissioner Tang Ping-keung, there has been a need for the Police to launch a new round of publicity work, considering an avalanche of groundless allegations against the Police that have been plaguing society since Hong Kong came through the social unrest brought on by the protests against the extradition law amendment bill. That was how the idea of filming “Guarding Our City”, a story about the Police conquering terrorists, to project the positive and professional image of the Force, came about.

What’s groundbreaking about this promotional video is the scale of its production, which is comparable to that of films. It is even directed by Mr Dante Lam, who has won a Hong Kong Film Award for “Best Director”. Other than a number of foreign actors who play terrorists in the video, all actors in “Guarding Our City” are serving police officers. Over 600 officers from more than 15 police units took part in the filming, while the Commissioner also led personnel from senior management to appear in the video, bringing viewers a pleasant surprise.

“Mong”, Sergeant at the Police Public Relations Branch (PPRB), was responsible for coordinating the logistics of the filming process. He commended the film crew on its professionalism, which was exemplified in the site visits they made during pre-production. For instance, the crew would inspect a single MTR station from 8pm to 2am, to keep checking out different lighting effects and locations for filming. An expert in making action films, Mr Lam held meetings with multiple police units, prior to the filming, to ensure its contents would comply with Police regulations. Therefore, while there are scenes of opening fire in the video, unrealistic scenes such as Police and criminals combating each other with martial arts moves are nowhere to be seen.

Although filming of “Guarding Our City” took place only during night-time and was completed after just nine evenings, the amount of work involved in both pre-production and post-production was huge. “Mong” said, “I had to be the first to arrive at the venues, to make sure all the gear, uniforms as well as cast and crew members were ready, before filming could start. After filming was done, I needed to arrange for the departure of the officers, handle the firearms, and even discuss work for the next day. Therefore, I was always the last to leave the venues as well.”

Filming of “Guarding Our City” was affected by bad weather as well. “Mong” said, “During the night that we filmed the Special Duties Unit establishing a beachhead, there was a sudden torrential downpour. Having to wait and film simultaneously, we scrambled to complete the scene. Although my colleagues who took part in the filming had no relevant experience, the process went very smoothly, with only less than 10 retakes needed to be done.”

“Mong” stressed that this production was made possible by the collaboration between all relevant departments, while he himself was just doing the least he could to help with the production, and that he feels tremendously honoured to be part of the journey. “Mong” is deeply indebted to the Government Flying Service for the assistance it rendered, which was instrumental in filming the challenging scene where police officers abseiled from helicopters to land on the rooftop of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The PPRB team that participated in the filming comprised more than 10 members, and thanks to the tireless efforts and contribution of each of them, the eventual promotional video can live up to expectations. “Mong” believes “Guarding Our City” can present to members of the public the Police’s professionalism and capabilities as well as determination to stamp out crime.