Inspector Chan Yat-fung has an impeccable record as a negotiator. Over his 20-year’s career, he was involved in hundreds of operations, with none of the crisis subjects crossing the point of no return. He believed the key to crisis de-escalation lies in empathy and deep respect for every life. “Negotiation is more about listening than communication skills,” he said. To get a crisis subject to open up, a negotiator must put themselves into their shoes and listen with their hearts. “It’s easy for a TV drama character to say ‘I got you’. In real life, though, we haven’t experienced what the crisis subjects went through. How can we truly understand their feelings? Only through sincere listening, heartfelt sharing and empathy can we get them to confide in us.”

As a frontline member of the Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC), Chan’s outstanding work has been featured by TVB News twice in the past five years. He is one of the organisers of the PNC 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium, which will be held on January 22 and 23. The conference will bring together negotiation experts from the Chinese Mainland and overseas, enhancing connectivity with the Chinese Mainland and the world.

Recognising that prevention is better than cure, PNC’s remit has expanded from primarily reactive crisis intervention to proactive crisis prevention - a development that allowed Chan to fulfil his original aspirations when he took on the mantle of negotiator. The idea of a preventive approach first came to him while he was in the Miscellaneous Enquiries Sub-unit, being tasked with the responsibility to investigate suicide cases. “Reflecting on the lives lost, I thought - rather than feeling regret after a tragedy, why not take the initiative to step in before it happens?” This revelation spurred him to join the PNC. With grit and determination, he passed the rigorous selection process and has since helped rescue numerous at-risk individuals from the brink of despair.

Now an instructor at the Police College, Chan provides professional development training to junior police officers, equipping the younger generation with the communication and psychological skills he has honed over two decades of crisis negotiation.

Over the past 50 years, the PNC has continuously improved and evolved from a crisis response and management unit to one with more focus on crisis prevention. The team works closely with the Psychological Services Group and invites police clinical psychologists to conduct training. In light of rising youth suicide rates in recent years, PNC members also visit schools to offer crisis management workshops for teachers. Chan emphasised their commitment to taking precautionary measures to prevent tragedies. “With an empathetic ear and genuine sincerity, anyone can be a negotiator!”

As the PNC marks its golden jubilee, it is accelerating its efforts to connect globally. At the upcoming international symposium, the PNC will collaborate with counterparts from the Chinese Mainland and abroad, as well as professionals from the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department, academics, and experts in psychology and psychiatry to explore multi-disciplinary topics including crisis management and suicide prevention. Chan noted, “Crisis cases vary across different regions. By exchanging effective negotiation tactics and drawing on multi-disciplinary expertise, we will be inspired to generate new ideas. As our country’s gateway to the world, Hong Kong can harness its role as a connector to bring professionals together for the exchange of expertise.”

Having fulfilled both his original aspirations and the mission of the PNC, Chan felt a profound sense of achievement. Never rest on their laurels, he and his PNC colleagues continually strive for self-improvement through collaboration with local and international partners. With pride, he stated, “Half a century of dedication and professionalism has earned our team the trust of the public. At this pivotal moment of our 50th anniversary, we are honoured to represent the Force and showcase the fruits of our hard work to international peers. I hope we can convey the professionalism of the Hong Kong Police Force at the symposium, and tell the world the good stories of our country, Hong Kong and the Force.”

The Hong Kong PNC 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition

Coming on the heels of the symposium on January 22 and 23, the Hong Kong PNC 50th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition will be held from January 23 to February 9 at the Police Officers’ Club in Causeway Bay, and from February 10 to March 2 at the Police Headquarters in Wan Chai. The exhibition will highlight the history and development of the PNC, and all colleagues and their family members are welcome to visit.