Yes Madame! WSP Elsie Wong Mui-kit, PTU's first woman Company Commander briefing members of "Hotel" Company

BEING the Police Tactical Unit's first woman Company Commander, a position traditionally regarded as "man's job", WSP Elsie Wong Mui-kit said the first hurdle that she had to overcome was gaining the acceptance of a large group of male colleagues who are not used to taking orders from a female commander. But like most challenges that come her way, the highly disciplined Woman Superintendent Wong, who can finish a 2.4 kilometre run in nine minutes, faces each of life's hurdles head on.

"As you know, not everyone is a believer in the equal capabilities of men and women," she said. "Historically, the Police Tactical Unit has been a man's domain, although ever since women were first admitted to PTU in late 1995 they have been totally accepted. Even so, as its first woman Company Commander I have to do more than a male Company Commander has to in order to remove this 'psychological barrier". "I demonstrate my leadership by example and participation. Showing concern to my colleagues is also important because this lets them know I care about them," continued WSP Wong, who commands PTU's "Hotel" Company. "It's been: 'So far, so good'." Judging by the response of her male colleagues, WSP Elsie Wong Mui-kit has done very well in breaking through PTU's barrier of major machismo. This is how male members of "Hotel" Company (one of PTU's 12 Companies) described their leader: "She is confident and fair, tough and decisive - but also has the caring and meticulous nature of a woman," said one. Another, impressed by her physical training prowess and credo of leading by example and participation, said: "At PTU there's a lot of pressure to push ourselves to obtain the highest standards. WSP Wong pushes herself right along side her Company members." While all said they "had no problem working with a woman commander as the Force already had many senior posts filled by Women Superintendents." She looks great in an evening gown, too, as was evident at last month's Hong Kong Island Regional Ball. As a PTU Company Commander, Mrs Wong leads 170 officers in the four 41-member platoons that make up "Hotel" Company. A daunting task by anyone's standards, male of female.

Company Commander Wong has been in her post for two months and encourages all officers - especially women officers - to consider joining PTU sooner than later in order to take advantage of an opportunity that in the past was only open to their male counterparts: superb physical training and learning policing skills and tactics that nowadays are extremely useful, if not essential, to all front-line duties. "For front-line officers, what you do and learn at PTU will definitely boost confidence levels and enhance policing capabilities in terms of anti-riot tactics, crowd management, anti-crime patrol, setting up roadblocks, cordoning scenes, searching suspects and vehicles, apprehending violent/armed criminals and dealing with worst case scenarios," said Mrs Wong. She also urges married woman NCOs not to shy away from PTU duty. "The training may be demanding, but it's also very rewarding," said the wife and mother of two children aged six and 11. "I have my burden too. However, I saw no point in losing such a good opportunity which was resolved by making an 'adjustment' with family members. It involves teamwork." And, according to WSP Wong, the spirit of teamwork is also the most essential aspect of commanding a PTU company.

Leader of the pack. Company Commander Wong takes "Hotel" Company through an early morning jaunt WSP Wong surrounded by PTU Company members at the HKI Regional Ball. "Hotel" Company's motto is Solidarity, Discipline and Professionalism

WSP Wong demonstrating criminal apprehension techniques

On the ropes. PTU Company Commander Wong is a firm believer in leading by example