"Whilst maintaining law and order, we have to remain neutral, exercise restraint and tolerance and be resolute. I am confident that you, having undergone strenuous training and properly equipped, will absolutely have the ability to deal with different trying situations," he told the officers on parade.

Mr Koo, who will shortly proceed on pre-retirement leave after a distinguished career with the Force, also shared with the officers his experiences of taking part in the major events in Hong Kong -- the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference, Olympic Torch Relay and Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events.

He pointed out that officers came up with outstanding performances and showed unity and camaraderie whilst carrying out the policing operation for the WTO conference, leaving in him a lasting memory.

Looking ahead, Mr Koo said there are a lot of challenges in a rapidly changing society. "We should tackle problems with flexibility and the experience we garnered. While carrying out our duties efficiently, we have to take into account the safety of our colleagues and the public. We also have to be more proactive and strive for improvement, otherwise we will lag behind the paces of society!" he noted.

Mr Koo is confident that PTU officers are capable of working under trying situations