They are Chief Inspector Yu Shi-cheung from Commercial Crime Bureau, Senior Police Translator John Chan Chi-wai of Kowloon West, Personal Secretary II Chow Li Lai-yee of Personnel Wing, Clerical Officer Wu Kin-wing of General & Development, Administration Wing, and Assistant Clerical Officer Lo Wai-ming of Tseung Kwan O Division. Altogether, they have chalked up a total of 102 years' services with the Force.

Together with 70 civil servants from 36 other departments, they received their awards from Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph WP Wong on September 17.

After the presentation, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, attended a cocktail reception to honour the award recipients.

Speaking at the presentation, Mr Wong said the Government valued the contributions made by civil servants, and that it was the first time that such awards had been presented.

"Through the Departmental Commendation Letter Scheme and the Chief Executive's Honours and Awards System, we give recognition to deserving civil servants for their exemplary performance in serving the community.

"After a review and consultation with departments and staff side representatives, we have introduced the Secretary for the Civil Service's Commendation Award Scheme. The scheme was launched earlier this year to give awards to civil servants for their consistent and meritorious performance in their daily work.

"I should perhaps stress that not only would meritorious performance be given due recognition under the existing commendation schemes, it is a key qualifying criterion when we are selecting eligible officers for promotion," Mr Wong added.

Mr Yu, who is well known among the media as a "fake banknotes expert", as well as his fellow award recipients, are very pleased with the Government's recognition of their services.

He told OffBeat that the award scheme would boost staff morale.

Mr Yu regarded his award as a recognition of the efforts he has made during the past 10 odd years to raise the Force's capability to identify fake banknotes.

Another recipient, Senior Police Translator Mr John Chan, who has served in the Force for 31 years, thanked the management for nominating him for the award scheme. He also thanked his colleagues in the Force, both civilian and disciplined, for their support and co-operation.

Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai also attends the cocktail reception to congratulate the Force's award recipients