A total of 24 officers divided into two teams, each comprising eight PTU officers and four DCS-1 officers, sifted through over eight tonnes of clinical waste during the five-day operation.

The officer in charge of the operation, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Chow Siu-tong from Crime EDIST, told OffBeat: "This is the first time the Force has conducted a search among clinical waste at a landfill. The officers taking part in the operation, no matter working at the landfill or providing logistic support elsewhere, showed great team work and displayed utmost professionalism in the most trying circumstances."

DCIP Chow went on to say that on learning of the nature of their mission, his DCS-1 officers immediately started liaising with other related units, searching for information, planning logistics and purchasing the required equipment and protective gear - all done within a matter of 36 hours.

He pointed out that the search operation was complicated and fraught with risk because officers dealt with clinical waste consisting of used syringes, medical specimens, surgical equipment, and animal bodies, making it absolutely essential for officers to have good preparation and to realise the potential risk.

Before the operation, Hospital Authority briefed officers on the important points related to handling of clinical wastes. Every day, the Environmental Protection Department reminded officers of the things they had to pay particular attention to. At the end of the daily operation, the officers reviewed their search progress and prepared for the challenges of the next day. The whole search operation was conducted in an impeccable manner in a bid to ensure that officers would complete their mission in a safe environment.

He further pointed out that officers were very grateful for the support given by the Force management, especially Commissioner Tang King-shing, who went to the landfill to give officers a pat on the back on January 14. Mr Tang also conveyed the thanks of the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, and read out an e-mail of words of encouragement for officers from a local resident.

Though there was no sign of the baby's body, officers had tried their best for the family concerned, gaining precious experience at the same time, DCIP Chow noted.

Lastly, DCIP Chow thanked the Hospital Authority and the Environmental Protection Department for their professional advice, as well as the support units in the Force for their quick and timely assistance, including the management of EDIST for providing logistical support, the Psychological Services Group for providing counselling service for officers at the landfill, the Police Store for assistance in purchasing protective gear, and the Police Catering Unit for providing hot meals for his team members.

Last month, pupils of the Chinese Unversity of Hong Kong FAA Thomas Cheung School, after learning of the search operation from newspapers, sent about 50 "thank you" cards to DCIP Chow, expressing their appreciation of the perseverance and professionalism officers displayed while carrying out the operation.

Some of the many "thank you" cards sent by pupils

Crime and Police Tactical Unit officers have gained valuable experience from the search operation at a landfill