Balances in Law Enforcement Series X: Post-80s' Letters to
Family
From Students' Movement to Police Work
The following article comes from Police Constable Lau Kwok-chung, who is working in the Task Force Sub-unit of Sheung Shui Division. In the article, he shares his personal feelings and views about being one of the "Post-80s".
Ah Fai,
It has been several years since we graduated from university. After moving out from the university hostel, we lost contact with each other. I have joined the Hong Kong Police for more than four years. I never expected we would meet again the other day whilst I was carrying out Police Tactical Unit (PTU) duties, and you were one of the "Post-80s" taking part in the demonstration. What do you think of being labelled as "Post-80s"? Personally, I don't like that because I don't subscribe to the thoughts and behaviour of some of the "Post-80s".
Over the past year, I was attached to PTU New Territories North and took part in policing the July 1 rally, the Express Rail Link incident and the Choi Yuen Tsuen incident. During all these events, I had frequent contacts with the "Post-80s" activists. Many "Post-80s" leaders and reporters covering the events are our university classmates, and you must have met them too.
I had mixed emotions when I met you and our former classmates during the course of my work. I remembered that in university, we also cared about different social issues and together we organised the student union and expressed our views on social injustice. We joined petitions and demonstrations but never resorted to violence or confronted the Police. All our activities were conducted in a peaceful manner. But some of the activists nowadays adopt a rather different approach in words and behaviour. As a matter of fact, in every march or rally, the Police tried their best to help and only intervened when it had to ensure the personal safety of all participants. It is imperative for my colleagues and me to exercise restraint, and carry out duties with dedication, as expected of a professional police officer.
Have you ever heard of the criticisms that the "Post-80s" are not as hardworking as their older generation, and quit their job when they get bored with it? I don't think so, and I believe you won't agree either. One can easily identify many diligent "Post-80s" officers within the Force. These younger "Post-80s" have their own dreams and aspirations.
I am a member of the Force's Carelink Cadre, and Cadre members frequently visit new recruits in Police College to show care and support. Most of these recruits are young "Post-80s". In rigorous training, they put their resilience to the test, adapted themselves to strict discipline, and sat for many examinations. In the end, most of them overcame all challenges and proudly presented themselves for inspection at passing-out parades.
Although I don't like to be called "Post-80s", it is indisputable I am one of them. What plan do you have for your future? I've made up my mind to take police work as my lifelong career. Together with my "Post-80s" colleagues, we will work hard for the community.
Kwok-chung
Kwok-chung
(left)
with his colleague in Police Tactical Unit, New Territories North