Like-minded couple nab suspect off duty
It's not uncommon to see police officers apprehend law-breakers off duty, but, it's not the case when the arresting officers are a married couple.
Sergeant Poon Hei-shun and his wife, Woman Police Constable Rhoda Suen Wing-yin, took part in joint operations in the past, but never apprehended a law-breaker together off duty until early last month. At the time, they were meeting up in Tsuen Wan when they heard a hue and cry and saw a man chasing after another man. The couple joined the chase and subdued the latter, who later turned out to be the suspect of a taxi robbery.
Describing the couple's joint effort in this case, Tsuen Wan Assistant District Commander (Operations) Henry Ho said: "Like-minded couples can solve any problem."
The couple put their joint action in the case down to their good communication and the experience they have accumulated from work. Even before their marriage, they took part in joint operations while serving in New Territories South Region.
Shortly after their marriage in December 2005, the couple took part in another joint operation again - policing the World Trade Organisation's Hong Kong Ministerial Conference. Rhoda, from a Patrol Sub-unit in Tsuen Wan District, said she was on duty in Hung Hing Road on the night of December 17 when demonstrators stormed a police cordon, while her husband was on duty elsewhere in Wan Chai.
During an interview on their off duty arrest, the couple also talked about their recipe for maintaining family harmony and marital relations.
They said they put emphasis on communication. After work, they discuss their jobs and exchange views to mutual benefit. In this process, Rhoda benefits from her husband's analysis and advice, and SGT Poon knows better the aspirations of PCs and how they would react in different situations.
Other than sharing views, the couple regards mutual support and candour equally important to family life. "When a problem arises, bring it up, face it, and solve it as soon as possible. Hiding it or pretending that it never exists would only lead to more problems!" said Rhoda.
"By being sensitive to the feelings of your spouse, you're giving your spouse crucial support!" she added.
SGT Poon, from the Police Tactical Unit of New Territories South, added: "Family support and mutual encouragement not only relieve work pressure, but also enhance work performance."
Tsuen Wan District Commander David Cartwright congratulates the police couple for their prompt action