Balances in Law Enforcement Column
Bitters and sweets of DVIT work
Woman Detective Senior Police Constable May Wong Wing-han would not hesitate to recommend the work of Divisional Investigation Team (DVIT) to a colleague if he or she is prepared to accept a demanding workload, shift duties, and sometimes long working hours.
And she says that DVIT work has a lot to offer in terms of knowledge and work know-how, but a would-be DVIT officer should be dedicated to duties, and have a sense of commitment and mission.
Having worked in CID for nearly 20 years since 1985, WSPC Wong wishes to share with OffBeat readers the bitters and sweets of her work.
She began her CID career as a junior investigator in the DVIT in Tuen Mun Division (TMDIV) in January 1985, after completing a CID training course. Her subsequent postings included the Regional Intelligence Unit in New Territories North, and the District Intelligence Squads (DIS) of Tuen Mun and Yuen Long Districts.
She returned to DVIT TMDIV in April 2003 after an absence of nearly 19 years, and has worked there ever since.
New service culture in DVITs
During an interview with OffBeat, the Psychological Service Group and Staff Relations Group, WSPC Wong spoke of the major changes that had taken place, as well as a new service culture that had emerged in DVITs. She also confided her hardship of constantly looking after her husband who was suffering from a chronic illness.
While working in the DIS in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long Districts, WSPC Wong had, for a long period of eight years and nine months, to take care of her husband who went in and out of hospital, and required constant care at home. Dividing her time between her heavy workload and husband, she also had to look after the upbringing of three children.
Though there was no shortage of help and support by colleagues for her hardship, WSPC Wong, being a devout Christian, still had to draw strength and comfort from her religious belief, as well as support and encouragement from friends in her church. She added that her Christian faith had also enabled her to derive job satisfaction, and to realise that her mission was to serve the community and the Force.
After the death of her husband four years ago, she realised that due to her circumstances, she had not given her children sufficient attention, and had been too strict with them. With the advice of her church friends, she is now trying hard to make up for her children by showing them more care and concern, and to mend their strained relationship. She is also trying to establish communication channels with her children, and to spend more time with them after work and on holiday.
"I seldom go out after work and on holiday these days. I prefer staying at home and preparing a nice dinner for my children!" she noted.
After returning to DVIT TMDIV about a year ago, WSPC Wong had felt the pinch of long working hours, jobs' demand on her physique, and unfamiliarity with many different procedures for different cases. However with her experience and support from colleagues, she soon managed to adapt herself to the challenges.
Esprit de corps in DVITs
Speaking of the bitter side of DVIT work, she pointed out that DVIT members were having a demanding workload.
She explained: "The DVITs nowadays are busier because of increasing public demands. We're so busy that we only know when to start work, but never know when we can call it a day!
Despite heavy workload, WSPC Wong continued, DVIT officers were working with dedication and esprit de corps. "There is a high degree of esprit de corps among my colleagues. Though they are very busy with their own work, they would give me advice and help if they can. I think a new service culture has emerged in DVITs probably because of the Force's efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle and internal communication among Force members," she added.
In conclusion, she said: "The experience that I had gone through before the death of my husband and my religious belief had made me more mature in the outlook of life, more aware of the limitations of life, and see the need of overcoming hardship with persistence, continuing learning, and adapting to changes.
"I'm glad that my children are spending more time with me, and my colleagues continue supporting me in work!"
Comments by Psychological Services Group (PSG)
Prolonged exposure to adversity can whittle one's will power to survive, but also would fortify one's perseverance and confidence. The difference between these two extreme factors lies in the faith that a person sticks to. WSPC Wong Wing-han, while adhering to intelligence work steadfastly, also had to look after a husband suffering from a chronic illness. For her, eight years and nine months of toil, worries and fears, as well as a sense of helplessness as her husband struggled with life and death defied description. WSPC Wong's religious belief had given her the strength to insist on caring for her husband to the last minute, and at the same time to continue leading a normal life with a positive and active outlook. Many psychological researches have shown that those with strong spiritual beliefs and active religious practices, regardless of which orientation, are associated with a healthier, happier and more satisfying life, compared with those without any religious belief. Apart from support and reassurances given by friends in a religious group, religion has provided meaning and direction in life, giving people hope and purposes for life.
Furthermore, in the face of adversity, especially on the brink of life and death, one would have a strong sense of helplessness and a lot of "Why me?" type of doubts in one's mind. Religion has provided human with an explanation and meaning for suffering and misfortune, as well as with some attitudes and means for handling and facing up to adversity. Most bona-fide religions regard adversity as a fortification for fortitude and perseverance as well as an experience to deepen religious faith. Therefore, those possessing healthy beliefs (not superstition) are capable of facing up to adversity more positively and hopefully, learning new things and becoming more mature in the process. The ordeal that WSPC Wong has gone through and her sense of mission for work serve as a good example.
PSG
Seek advice and help from the PSG: 2866-6206 (5th floor, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay). PEN:psg@police.gov.hk
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