Standing tall in Wong Chuk Hang, the Hong Kong Police College (College) - originally founded as the Police Training School in 1948 - officially became a college in January 2006. As it celebrates its 20th anniversary, Superintendent Tong Kam-wai and Sergeant Luk Wai-hin, both current instructors, reflect on their journeys. Receiving their foundation training here two decades ago during the early days of the College, they have witnessed its growth and transformation along the way. Now, 20 years later, they have returned to the College to share their experience and dedicate themselves to nurturing the next generation of police officers.

Superintendent Tong Kam-wai, now the Head of the Probationary Inspector Training Division, has personally experienced every chapter of the Force’s evolving training journey. He first got involved through the inaugural Police Mentorship Programme, and from that moment, he was captivated by the wide variety of police work. He joined as a Police Constable in 2005 and later became an Inspector. Having spent years in criminal investigation during his early career, he also possessed a deep interest in training work. He has served as an instructor at both the Detective Training Centre and the foundation training programme for Inspectors. Tong recalled several instructors from his own training days who left a lasting impression on him, “They taught me to stay positive no matter what happened; with enough determination, you can do anything. I want to pass on the same beliefs - just like I was inspired back then.”

Tong also highlighted that he had witnessed the College moving with the times, consistently refining its courses and teaching methods. “We hope the mentees will come to understand themselves deeply during training, make the most of their strengths and address their weaknesses, develop their inner strength to stand firm in tough times, and learn to become a resilient and steadfast police officer.”

He persists in personally leading the mentees in mountain training, pushing them to conquer challenging trails within tight timeframes. “I want them to realise that a career in policing is full of challenges. In addition to handling cases and maintaining physical fitness, Inspectors also have to protect their colleagues and subordinates. I hope to instill a strong belief in them: keep reflecting, push your limits, improve constantly, and do all that with a heart and mind in the right place. I want them to grow into leaders who are warm, passionate, and truly impactful.”

Sergeant Luk Wai-hin was among the very first batch of mentees trained right after the College was established. As a Boy Scout from a young age, he has fond memories of foot drill training. “My Deputy Class Teacher back then, Sergeant Wong Ka-lung (Wong Sir), saw in me my good foundation and appointed me as the ‘Drill Leader’, helping to train my classmates - almost like being his deputy. Wong Sir’s guidance and example really shaped me. He taught me what it truly means to be a police officer. At that time, I made up my mind: I want to follow in his footsteps and help grow the next generation of Recruit Police Constables (RPCs).”

And here is the unexpected part: after being promoted to Sergeant, Luk was transferred back to the College as the Deputy Class Teacher of RPCs. To his great honour, he was teamed up once again with his former mentor, Wong Sir (now a Station Sergeant), to train the same batch of mentees together.

Reunited as partners following their promotions, the duo continues their mentor-mentee bond while jointly passing on the professionalism of the Force. Luk shared, “I firmly believe that this is a testament to life impacting life. Wong Sir’s earnest guidance has shaped me, and today I’m his deputy again, shaping a new generation of RPCs together. I’ll definitely uphold Wong Sir’s philosophy in those days - nurture mentees with a passionate heart, so that they act from the soul with the right attitude to serve society wholeheartedly.”

The two instructors have personally witnessed the continuous advancement of the College’s training work. Tong noted, “What I’ve witnessed most over the past 20 years is the College’s constant application of technology to enhance training effectiveness. For example, when we received detective training in the past, we mainly relied on photos or instructors’ descriptions to understand different crime scenes. Now, virtual reality elements have been integrated into both detective training and the foundation training for RPCs and Inspectors. Using technology to bring mentees into various scenarios not only enhances their interest, but also helps improve teaching efficiency.”

Luk also mentioned, “Training at the College has become increasingly systematic. It has evolved from relying on word-of-mouth from instructors to the highly standardised training today. Many courses are now becoming Qualifications Framework-accredited, fully demonstrating the College’s determination to keep pace with the times and pursue excellence.”

The College is the cradle of all police officers, shouldering the heavy responsibility of passing on the professionalism and fine culture of the Force. Tong and Luk are the perfect embodiments of the Force’s legacy of professionalism. The two instructors expressed, “No matter how times change, we always hope to nurture police officers who are professional, dedicated, willing to ‘go the extra mile’ for the public, and safeguard Hong Kong with all their heart and soul.”

Through two decades of unwavering dedication, they remain steadfast to the original aspiration. From mentees to instructors, the duo have scripted the Force’s legacy of succession through their actions. As the College moves towards a new milestone, they will continue to pass on their knowledge, nurture and inspire, and cultivate generation after generation of pillars for the Hong Kong Police Force.