One hundred and two university undergraduates started getting a taste of police work on March 17 when they attended the Inauguration Ceremony for the Police Mentorship Programme (PMP) 2007/08 at the Police College.

Forming a new intake of Police Mentees under the PMP 2007/08, the undergraduates were selected from eight local universities. Launched in 2004 as a proactive recruitment strategy, the PMP aims at facilitating the personal and social development of the Mentees, and inspiring them to pursue a lifelong career in the Force.

Officiating at the Inauguration Ceremony, Acting Deputy Commissioner (Management) Tang Hau-sing said: "The PMP is a very meaningful programme because it allows a group of serving police officers, who are graduates of local universities, to make contribution to their Alma Maters. By establishing a Mentor-Mentee relationship, the officers can share their views and work experiences with the Mentees, inspire them with positive attitude and values, and enhance their understanding of the Force."

Prior to the Inauguration Ceremony, the Mentees had watched a passing-out parade, after which a sharing session was held at the Officers' Mess, where Senior Superintendent (Human Resources) Chan Kwok-hung introduced the new Job Attachment under the PMP. Under the scheme, Mentees can apply to work as interns this summer in various Police Districts and Formations so as to know more about police work. Probationary Inspectors undergoing training at the Police College also shared their training experiences with the Mentees.

Woman Probationary Inspector Leung Oi-lam, who was a Mentee of PMP 2005/06, had this to say about the PMP: "The Programme has enhanced my understanding of police work as well as my own strengths and weaknesses. This is very important for me to choose a career, as well as for my personal development."

On behalf of her fellow Mentees, she took the opportunity to thank all the Mentors for their valuable guidance and support. Eagerly looking forward to a rewarding police career, she pledged to serve the community to the best of her ability.

The PMP has been well received by university management, Mentees and Mentors. Most of the Mentees have shown great interest in police work and wish to join the Force immediately after graduation. Since 2004, a total of 16 Mentees have made it to Probationary Inspectors, and a number of applications are still being processed.

The PMP owes its success to the enthusiastic support by PMP mentors and the hosting units, e.g. Crime Wing, Police College, Marine Regional Headquarters and Police Tactical Unit.

While the PMP has proved to be very effective, no effort will be spared to seek further improvement, and the newly introduced Job Attachment Scheme is just one of the initiatives in this respect.

Acting Deputy Commissioner (Management) Tang Hau-sing shares a few points of police work with the Mentees