Since joining the Police Cadet School in 1981, retiring Inspector Cheng Man-chung established a presence among the grassroots with the spirit of a junior position member, has been promoted from a cadet to become an Inspector progressively, and received training in Police Constable, Sergeant and Station Sergeant posts. Looking back on the 40-year police career, he has all along adhered to the Cadet School motto of "Wisdom, Bravery, Integrity and Perseverance". He firmly believes that "Discipline builds freedom. The training at the Cadet School made me understand that no matter how roles change, the original aspiration remains the same all along".

Inspired during childhood by the righteous image of Dominic Lam who was the host of "Junior Police Call" and a first cohort graduate of the Cadet School, Cheng Man-chung applied with determination to join the Cadet School after completing Form 3. He recalls cadets took morning exercises at 6am every day and could only go home on Saturdays every week. This disciplined life fostered deep camaraderie. “Even though the entire class shared the responsibility when occasionally punished for mischief, the qualities of self-discipline, unity and perseverance were honed instead.”

Cheng Man-chung also shared the memorable friendship with fellow cadet and the best actor Nick Cheung. “He is easy-going. Even though he joined the performing arts industry later, every reunion brings back memories of the days of training with shared hardships”.

With the perseverance cultivated at the Cadet School, Cheng Man-chung pursued continuing education in his spare time, progressed from Form 5 in night school to attain a bachelor's degree, and has been promoted from a frontline police constable to become an Inspector. He even fully leveraged the spirit of serving without fear, and joined the Airport Security Unit as well as the Special Duties Unit, demonstrating exceptional courage and endurance. “This obedience and diligence are exactly the foundation granted by the Cadet School training”.

After 17 years of service in elite police units, Cheng Man-chung transferred to become a class teacher of instructor class in the Weapons Training Division and an instructor at the Junior Police Call Pat Heung Centre, passing on his policing experience and the Cadet School spirit. He emphasises that the teaching methods of the Force keep up with the times. “Emphasis was placed on one-way obedience in the past, but importance has been attached to walking alongside the trainees nowadays. The society is ever-changing, and the Force must integrate traditional wisdom with innovative thinking to embody the ‘One Force’ spirit”.

Cheng Man-chung has also actively put improvements forward in police work, and is a five-time winner of the "Police Staff Suggestion Scheme" Gold Award, among which his design of a black respirator pouch with an additional side pocket for gloves is now widely used on the front line.

Upon retirement, Cheng Man-chung plans to teach in the "Diploma of Applied Education - Police Cadet Training" programme co-organised by the Force with three education institutions as a veteran member to continue his mission of nurturing talents. He encourages the new generation, "The school motto ‘Wisdom, Bravery, Integrity and Perseverance’ shares the same origin with the spirit of the Force's motto 'Serving Hong Kong with Honour, Duty and Loyalty'. By staying true to your original aspirations, every role can shine and contribute to the society".

"Diploma of Applied Education - Police Cadet Training" programme

The "Diploma of Applied Education - Police Cadet Training " programme is launched in 2024. Cadets who pass the Recruit Police Constable selection process and complete the programme can proceed to the Police College for foundation training. The programme for the 2026/27 academic year will commence in September 2026. The first phase of application will be open from December 1 to February 28, 2026. For more details, please scan the QR Code now.