First female Flag Party Commander on her new job
For Woman Senior Inspector Sukie Chan Shuk-kwan, a Drill and Musketry Instructor (DMI) in Police College, the last National Day was a special day with great significance. On that day, she, as the Force's first female Flag Party Commander, watched the National Flag slowly rising to the top of the pole at the Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai. For her, this was a satisfaction beyond description.
During an interview with OffBeat, Sukie said that following the hoisting of Typhoon Signal No. 8, she worried about inclement weather forcing cancellation of the Flag-raising Ceremony. Nevertheless, she managed to have rehearsal on two days and worked out a contingence plan.
When the Flag Party marched into the venue with officers from the Correctional Services, Fire Services, Customs and Excise and Immigration departments, led by the Police Band, in front of the Chief Executive, Senior Government Officials, VIP guests and spectators, Sukie went through every detail of the ceremony mentally to avoid making any mistake.
With their intensive practice prior to the ceremony, members of the Flag Party managed to come up with what they were expected to do, despite a lot of stress. Their efforts and team spirit have earned recognition.
Joining Police College as a DMI one and a half year ago, Sukie has mastered every procedure and detail of a flag-raising ceremony. She noted: "Flag-raising ceremony is held with different levels. For example, a Drill and Musketry Sergeant leads the ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square on a normal day. But on the first day of each month, a DMI takes charge, with the attendance of the Police Band. On important days, such as July 1 and October 1, the ceremony will be held with the highest level, with a guard of honour that also comprises officers from other disciplined services."
Not an easy job
For Sukie, the job of a DMI is not "a piece of cake". Describing the two-week Footdrill Instructors' Course as the "first hurdle", she recalled: "When I attended the course in August last year, I practised footdrill from 8 am to 5.30 pm everyday. On several days when the temperature was so high that, after prolonged outdoor practice, my drill shoes polish melted." But this tough training made her better equipped in skills and will power, as well as in taking up the challenges of a DMI.
The Chinese saying, "Good teacher grooms good students", is a motto for Sukie. When she joined the D&M Section, Sukie's first instructor was a female officer. "She was my role model in terms of perseverance and attitude towards work."
Sukie is devoted to the job of grooming young officers to be "future leaders of the Force who are capable, honest and willing to take on commitments". "Watching trainees make progress is the best reward for me," she noted.
Once, Sukie was asked whether being a female DMI had brought her any "inconvenience". She replied: "I inspected female trainees' barrack without the company of another female officer. Unlike my male colleagues, there was no need for me to avoid any body contact in teaching female trainees in footdrill lessons. So being a female DMI is an advantage and I could fully discharge my duties without any hindrance. As a cosmopolitan, Hong Kong upholds human rights and equal opportunities for male and female. Our Force strives for excellence and anyone can perform every role if he or she is competent, regardless of gender."
Sukie is proud of having marked a new chapter in the history of the Flag Party and trained up many trainees. She will continue working closely with her colleagues for the goal of passing on D&M skills to young officers.
The
flag-raising ceremony for the last National Day was the first major
event featuring a female Flag Party Commander