Balances in Law Enforcement Series X:
"Post-80s' Letters to
Family"
My first 105 days of police work
In this issue of "Post-80s' Letters to Family", Psychological Services Group has invited Yvonne Leung Yuk-ting, a recently graduated inspector, who worked as a television reporter before joining the Force, to share the experiences of her first 105 days of police work, through the following letter.
Dear Mom,
It's been three and a half months since I passed out from the Police College. The days of training on the Aberdeen campus were just like yesterday, and I always consider myself an ignorant novice in police work. However, when I noticed I had handled over 30 case files, and spent two hours briefing an inspector fresh from the Police College, I suddenly realised that I had accumulated some police experiences even in this short period of time.
In those 105 days of police work, there was no major incident, but for me every single case was unforgettable. I still remember the first dispute case I handled involving a married couple. Finding the wife was emotional and had a suicidal tendency, I knew she had to be separated from her husband for the time being. As the wife was a new immigrant from the Mainland and did not have any relative here, I took her back to the station.
In the station, I picked up the phone and approached more than 10 social organisations, attempting to find a temporary accommodation for the woman. However, the replies were far from promising. Determined to accomplish my job within my shift so as not to pass the burden to my colleagues, I made further attempts and finally found an agency willing to offer temporary shelter to the woman via our referral. This was a great relief for me. Because of our help, the couple could calm down in separate places and a family tragedy was staved off.
Public
order events
The most frequent police operations recorded in the work log in the past few months must be the public order events outside the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG). Watching a group of 40 to 50 "post-80s" protesters dashing towards me, shouting and yelling. I found my heart pounding. The scene was as unforgettable and novel as my own psychological reaction. I tried to figure out why I reacted that way. Was it due to lack of psychological preparation for the situation or was I inexperienced in handling a public order event? After finding out the root of the problem, I guess I have to get better equipped for "the next big battle".
Post-80s
generation
In the recent public order events, the post-80s generation was always the focus of discussions. Though we were all born in 1980s, I simply do not share their thinking. I respect their rights to speak out but I fail to understand the reason behind their behaviour. Was it mere justice, media attention or simply a sense of achievement or any other reasons?
Outside the LOCPG, I came across my former colleagues from a TV station, buddies in the media, and my university classmates. After one year, our stances were so different in the protest. I was glad to see them again but because of my job, I dared not talk to them and we only had eye contacts. But then on one occasion, we managed to start a conversation and I also introduced them to my supervisors and colleagues. What I did might have bridged any gap between the officers on duty and media representatives covering the protest.
Job
satisfaction
Every single day of those three and a half months has brought me much satisfaction. Mom, thank you for joining me in jogging to help me pass my physical fitness test and find a meaningful job. For me the way ahead will be full of challenges, and I hope you will watch my growth in the Force.
Yvonne
Inspector
Leung
with
her
Mom
on her passing-out day