2 Photos
The Force has always been at the frontline of combating the virus ever since the outbreak of the epidemic. Led by the then Director of the Hong Kong Police College (HKPC) Cheung Ching, the Police Anti-Coronavirus Contingent (PACC), consisting of about 200 volunteers from supporting staff, auxiliary officers and retired officers, was set up as early as in February 2020 to offer a helping hand.
In an interview with “Yung Shu Tau”, two core members of PACC, Superintendent of Commercial Crime Bureau Kung Hing-fun, Fanny and Superintendent of Information Systems Wing Lo Shui-lin, Dilys, shared their experience at PACC.
“When PACC was first set up, we were deployed to different border control points to assist incoming travelers in putting on electronic wristbands,” said Fanny. Yet the task was not as simple as it seemed. Dilys elaborated, “It took us a long time to explain the electronic tracking function to elderly who did not know how to use smart phones. And we needed to deal with their panicked emotion.”
Officers of PACC were also deployed to quarantine centres at Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village and Chun Yeung Estate. Not only did they accomplish the tasks assigned, but they also achieved “zero infection”. Being fearless of getting infected, officers of PACC served persons under quarantine in close proximity and worked with the Civil Aid Service to build command centre with their profound policing experience.
Some PACC officers even volunteered to shoulder high-risk duties at the “dirty zone”, including collection and distribution of supplies for persons under quarantine. Fanny recalled, “As the supply of protective clothing was very limited at the beginning, some officers reduced their water intake to avoid frequent entering and exiting the ‘dirty zone’, thereby saving the protective clothing.” Dilys pointed out, “Some of the PACC officers still held fast to their duties despite having pregnant or sick family members at home. Some even postponed their pregnancy plan.”
PACC’s selfless act and effort provided staunch support to the anti-epidemic work led by the Government. Other Force members have also been benefited from PACC’s valuable experience in fighting the epidemic.
“Yung Shu Tau” will continue to publish PACC’s sharing. Colleagues are welcome to share their anti-epidemic work and experience with us via storytelling@police.gov.hk.
