Sincerity resolves conflicts; relief brings smile
Officer helps elderly man extricate himself from mental agony
Some people consider "Life is like a drama". And the plot is always about conflicts, such as those between people and environment, and even between people and their inner thoughts. Inevitably, every police officer has to face conflicts in their daily job. However, no matter how hard we work, sometimes we feel incapable, especially when we deal with conflicts between people and their thoughts. Nevertheless, as long as we remain steadfast and sincere, we can help people defuse a conflict. The following is a story about lending a hand to an old man suffering from mental illness.
Story begins with a letter
The District Commander presented a letter of appreciation from the son of Uncle Tang to Police Constable (PC) Chan Ka-hing of Miscellaneous Enquiry Sub-unit. The last sentence of the letter reads: "Although you're not related to us, you're more his son than I'm. Thank you!"
Then what immediately came to PC Chan's mind was memory of a frightened and helpless Uncle Tang shouting, "Help! Someone tries to kill me with poisonous gas."
Uncle Tang was a mental illness patient, living in solitude, and PC Chan is a member of a newly formed monitoring unit in Kwai Tsing District for handling reports related to mental illness patients. Uncle Tang's dreadful screams often woke his neighbours. Furthermore, he filed many complaints to the Commissioner of Police and other senior government officials, detailing the "poisonous gas attacks" on him. Those letters and reports subsequently landed on PC Chan's desk.
Professionalism and care bring changes
Records show Uncle Tang trusted nobody and "imprisoned" himself in his own "world of imagination". He treated estate managers, neighbours, doctors and social workers as "enemies" and "culprits" intended to poison him. In dealing with persons like Uncle Tang whose consciousness conflicted with his thoughts, there was not much doctors or social workers could do.
After many contacts with Uncle Tang, PC Chan realised the old man's "enemy" was in fact himself. In less than two years, Uncle Tang made over 100 "requests for police assistance". His reports made patrol officers very hectic. During a visit, PC Chan gave him the number of his own mobile phone so that he would have another way of contacting police officers before making a "report" to police. Thereafter, the phone ranged day and night, bringing Uncle Tang's voice of anxiety. Then PC Chan recognised that the old man's "culprit" was his fear of loneliness and solitude. Therefore, PC Chan, no matter at or after work, listened patiently to him talking and talking. Gradually, the talking shifted from "poisonous gas" to the ups and downs of life and family relationships. With PC Chan's efforts, the old man eventually ceased to call police, much to the relief of frontline officers.
PC Chan also recognised that family is more important than a mere listener. Therefore, he made arrangements for Uncle Tang to meet his son and helped them mend their relationship. Though feeling sorry on learning of the death of Uncle Tang, PC Chan found satisfaction from helping the old man "get relieved" before passing away.
Tell your story
The story of PC Chan underscores people's recognition of frontline officers' efforts. If you also wish to share your story in Yung Shu Tau, email to storytelling@police.gov.hk. Yung Shu Tau colleagues will contact you as soon as possible.
