Amazing Grace

GRACE Leung is the first Woman Chief Inspector at the Police Tactical Unit having taken up her post as Deputy Commander of Zulu Company ("Z" Coy), after passing out from the Cadre Course in May and the Company Training Course last August.

¡@Zulu Company is currently deployed to the Field Patrol Detachment at Lok Ma Chau in Border District. Despite long hours and exhausting outdoor duties in the steamy summer weather, WCIP Leung says the work is interesting, challenging and, thanks to Ms Leung, no longer the sole domain of male officers.

¡@"The Company Second IC of a company at PTU used to be regarded as a post for male officers," says WCIP Leung, who as the Unit's first and only WCIP is determined to excel in the same managerial and operational duties as her male counterparts.

¡@This is a key post in terms of its diversified job nature. And I have the chance to expand my working experience in the field of administration, operation and personnel," she explains. "Specialist skills include internal security, tactical, physical, firearms, field detachment and practical exercises training."

¡@WCIP Leung has worked in various posts in different formations including the UB, CID and CAPO. She was a presenter on the police TV program "Crime Watch", and before joining the PTU worked in Wan Chai District where her responsibilities included the development of the Formation Information Communal System (FICS). She's also done a stint at the Police Training School in administration of the Police Band.

¡@As a Deputy Company Commander at PTU, WCIP Leung assists the Company Commander in taking charge of most of the administrative and operational duties of 168 company officers of the West Kowloon Region (that's four platoons and a Headquarter unit).

¡@There are 16 Women Police Constables and one Woman Inspector in "Z" Coy. Although WCIP Leung performs the same duties as her male counterparts, she said that as a female she brings an added dimension to her role in terms of an empathy to the difficulties of woman officers - especially in the physical training aspects of the PTU, "despite the fact that some women officers can outrun many of the men in the company".

¡@"I believe that more communication, concern and consideration for those in 'Z' Coy result in better achievements, the highest standards and better performances from our officers," says WCIP Leung.

¡@To this end, the Deputy Commander personally attended the full gamut of Zulu Company's training to closely monitor the progress of its members. Whether company members are jogging, playing ball games or practising internal security operations, along with the Company Commander, WCIP Leung does the same exercises right alongside her officers.

¡@"Such participation and involvement," she says, "familiarises us with the junior officers and develops interpersonal relationships as well as co-operation and team spirit."

¡@Likewise, the WCIP, in support of her platoon members and to enhance communication, is a familiar site on her mountain bike patrolling and monitoring the situation as well as the deployment of manpower along the 13.5km Lok Ma Chau Border fence. "Although we have a patrol vehicle, a bicycle gives me a clearer picture of the fence as well as my colleagues' working situation," she says.

¡@In terms of timing, WCIP Leung couldn't have been appointed to her position at a more interesting and rewarding period in the history of the PTU.

¡@"Z" Coy was deployed to perform duties that saw the transfer of the High Island Vietnam Camp residents as well as playing an important role in the lead-up to, and during the transition of sovereignty. WCIP Leung singles out these two operations, especially the latter, as an illustration of the importance of team spirit and support from senior officers.

¡@"During the handover period our platoon worked extremely hard to ensure that the transition was smooth and carried off without incident," recalls WCIP Leung. "In the end, their performance was highly appreciated by members of the public and visitors alike."