Police Tactical Unit "Echo" Company (PTU E COY) has emerged as winner of the "Troop Carrier Design" Competition, followed by the Police Tactical Unit "Foxtrot" Company (PTU F COY) as first runner-up.

The winning team comprises Superintendent Lee Wing-kong, Senior Police Constable Cheng Siu-keung and Police Constable Cheung Wing-kin, whilst the PTU F COY team consists of Sergeant Wong Chun-hung and Police Constables Cheng Ching-pong, Wong Chi-kin, Ma Ho-ting, Lo Chun-kit and Chan Hiu-hung.

The idea of the competition dated back sometime last year when a replacement programme for the existing PTU Trooper was mooted. The Force Motor Transport Office subsequently proposed to PTU HQ that a 29-seater bus should be tried out as a troop carrier instead of purchasing another specifically designed "tactical" vehicle. The current Mercedes Benz Trooper is a vehicle having a specially designed chassis, which, although still being functional, has been, due to the tactical and equipment advances in recent years, unable to fully meet the levels of comfort officers require.

At a presentation to PTU HQ and Regional Company Commanders, officers agreed that, given the reorganisation of the Internal Security Structure in 2004 and the experiences of the HKMC operation, vehicles capable of carrying personnel in comfort and safety were the foremost priority.

Deputy Commandant PTU Duncan McCosh opted to use the experience of frontline officers in helping decide what features would be required for any new troop carrier and, with the assistance of the Services Quality Wing (SQW), subsequently organised a "Troop Carrier Design" competition amongst all PTU officers under the auspices of the "Staff Motivation Scheme".

The competition generated a great deal of interest and 10 teams submitted entries. On January 25, each of the teams "sold" its idea before an adjudication panel chaired by Commandant PTU Suen Kwai-leung.

On April 16, Mr Suen officiated at an award presentation ceremony before a large gathering of guests, including those from SQW and Transport Division as well as Regional PTU officers.

Congratulating the two prize-winners, Mr Suen complimented all the participating teams for their brilliant ideas and enthusiasm for the competition. He said he thoroughly enjoyed listening to the many constructive and positive presentations made by each team. He noted that the competition was an excellent example of service quality incorporating feedback and comments from the end-users.

Lastly, Mr Suen said many ideas from the competition would be incorporated into the specifications for the 16 new troop carriers, which will be tried out and expected to be in service in April 2008.

Commandant PTU Suen Kwai-leung complimented all the participating teams for their brilliant ideas and enthusiasm for the competition.

The PTU E COY wins the "Troop Carrier Design" Competition