Hong Kong society remains generally stable in recent years, with the situation of law and order improving continuously. Commissioner Chow Yat-ming, who took up his new appointment earlier this month, expresses his deep gratitude for the support given to the Hong Kong Police Force by the Central Government and the HKSAR Government, as well as the concerted efforts of all sectors of the community.

He emphasises that by no means can social stability be attained easily. In addition to every Force member performing their duties faithfully and serving the public dedicatedly, it is even more important for the Force and community to advance together in solidarity to safeguard Hong Kong, our home.

Commissioner Chow Yat-ming expresses his special gratitude to former Commissioner Siu Chak-yee for leading the Force through numerous challenges in recent years and making outstanding contributions to the law and order of Hong Kong and development of the Force. Looking ahead, he will uphold the professionalism of previous Commissioners, build on their achievements and lead the Force to further enhance its professional capabilities for Hong Kong to continue being one of the safest and most stable cities in the world.

The Commissioner states that three major priorities have been set for the Force, i.e. safeguarding national security and enhancing public awareness of national security; promoting smart policing by leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency and provide better services to the public; and strengthening team culture by deepening officers’ core values and sense of belonging, as well as fostering continuity between current and future members of the Force.

Enhancing public awareness while national security risks remain

“Despite its seeming calmness at present, Hong Kong society is full of undercurrents. It is not entirely free from national security risks indeed. Some individuals remain restless and try to incite others through various means. Therefore, it is the Force’s responsibility to safeguard and uphold national security.” The Commissioner reminds all Force members that regardless of their position, they should always remain vigilant and be prepared to guard against all potential national security risks. At the same time, he is committed to strengthening national security publicity and education efforts to raise public awareness of national security. He hopes the public do understand that the concept of national security is more than a mere piece of legislation; it is a notion that concerns the overall security of the country in 20 key areas.

Promoting smart policing for doing more with less

Promoting smart policing is another key priority. The Commissioner believes that in a rapidly changing world with advancing technology, the Force must keep pace with the times. By embracing smart policing, the Force can actively leverage technology to enhance operational efficiency, law enforcement and overall effectiveness, thereby providing better services to the public. He also aims to optimise internal operations and streamline processes with the application of technology for achieving the effect of “doing more with less.”

Deepening core values to foster intergenerational continuity

The Commissioner points out that teamwork is one of the core values of the Force. He will continue strengthening this culture to deepen officers’ core values and sense of belonging. The Force management will provide them with better support and development opportunities, and will seek to better understand the perspectives of younger colleagues for promoting continuity across generations and uniting the Force’s powers.

He firmly believes that every officer takes pride in being a Force member. “At the moment of graduating from the Police College and marching across ‘the River Kwai Bridge’, everyone feels a stronger sense of mission, with only one belief in mind: to become a police officer who fights crime and upholds justice, standing side by side with their colleagues against criminals. This was true in the past, remains true today, and will always be true in the future.”

He pledges to adhere to a people-centric management philosophy and strives to meet the diverse needs of his colleagues. “I sincerely hope that all colleagues will embrace a bold and innovative spirit, striving for excellence and demonstrating the united power of ‘One Force’. No matter what challenges we face, we will stand together and stay united to safeguard Hong Kong.”