CP offers advice to graduating officers
Commissioner Lee Ming-kwai offered some advice to graduating probationary inspectors and recruit police constables as he inspected their passing-out parade at the Police College on January 13 as reviewing officer.
Addressing the parade, he pointed out that police officers often faced great pressure and stress due to the dangerous and arduous nature of the work they undertook.
One option to handle these was to follow what he called the "middle road", which involved striking a correct equilibrium or balance in life and work.
"This does not mean taking a casual and relaxed attitude towards your work. It means that in your private lives you should maintain a balanced diet and participate in sports and other worthwhile activities to develop a sound mind and healthy body.
"At work before making decisions, consider the legal position and the right course of action based on the situation, focus on priority areas and make full use of the resources available to you.
"It is not easy to find the appropriate equilibrium between life and work. This can only be ascertained by yourselves, based on your own aspirations and what you want to take from each," he added.
Moreover, Mr Lee cited the literal translation of the four Chinese characters that have the meanings of honesty, tolerance, knowledge and progress.
"Honesty requires you to display an honest and sincere character and to be fair and just at work.
"Tolerance requires you to be tolerant towards others. Be as broad-minded as possible in the course of your duty, listen to the views of others in order that you can respond to the changing demands of different times and situations.
"Yearn for knowledge and adopt the principle of lifelong learning to develop your strength and correct your weakness.
"Progress by conducting regular reviews of your work and life and always try your best to strive for excellence," he advised the graduating officers.
Noting that their basic training had covered the four qualities, he urged the officers to apply the qualities in their daily lives and work to serve as a role model for the public.
Meanwhile, Mr Lee noted that community aspirations continued to grow in Hong Kong in terms of the standards of the services that were expected from public service organisations.
He said the public had high expectations of the Force and that the Force's continuous efforts to enhance service quality had received considerable public acclaim, as revealed by a number of recent public surveys, which showed that the local community was very satisfied with the service provided by the police.
Mr Lee added that this reflected that the public had confidence in the Force and recognised the positive effect of the Force's transformation into a modern customer-oriented police service.
Upon leaving the Force after more than a third of a century of service, Mr Lee said: "I thank all of my colleagues over the years for their consistent support of the Force and me. In the years to come, I have full confidence in the Force and strongly believe that serving officers, under the leadership of Mr Tang King-shing, will continue to uphold our fine traditions, build upon our strengths and overcome the challenges they will face in the future."
The parade consisted of 13 probationary inspectors and 202 recruit constables.
CP encourages graduating officers to follow the "middle road"
Taking salute as reviewing officer
CP poses with SDG officers after passing-out parade
Inspecting a smart turnout