LT DIST woos youths
through sports
Under the leadership of Lantau District Commander Chau Cho-kei, officers from different units in the District, including patrol sub-unit, CID and DTT, have formed teams of football, basketball and volleyball for matches with students and youths.
Besides interacting with youths, this "Fight Crime Sports Exchange Project" also promotes healthy lifestyle and enhances comradeship among officers.
Since the project's inception, the teams have played over 20 matches with nine secondary schools and three youth associations, earning much praise from the local community.
The matches have gone a long way in fostering better understanding and communication between officers and youngsters.
LT District Commander attended every match, and after the match joined his officers in chatting with youngsters, with conversations covering not only sports, but also healthy lifestyle and crime prevention. In this way, they inexplicitly passed on anti-crime messages, inculcated among the youngsters a respect for the law, and projected a positive image of the Force.
Some officers have spoken of the benefits the programme might bring to their work. A PC said he joined the programme solely because of interest in sports, but after interacting with youngsters, he had gained a better idea of their aspirations and concerns. He believed better co-operation by the younger generation would certainly benefit frontline policing work.
The project has also received positive feedback from schools and youth organisations, as well as participating students.
The project resumed for the current academic year with a football match on October 8. Encouraged by its progress, officers are considering forming badminton and ping-pong teams to maintain momentum and attract more youngsters.
More matches will be held for the new school year
DC Chau Cho-kei receives a letter of appreciation from a school principal
Matches help foster better understanding and communication between officers and youngsters