Police face unprecedented stress, says SJ
A sound legal system, efficient enforcement departments and impartial prosecution authorities are the key factors for upholding the rule of law, the Secretary for Justice (SJ), Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC, said when he inspected a passing-out parade at Police College on October 27.
He pointed out that the rule of law is one of the cornerstones of Hong Kong's success. It was only in a society where the rule of law was safeguarded that people would lead a happy life, investors do their businesses without trepidation, and Hong Kong remain prosperous and stable, he noted, adding that the Force had made a significant contribution.
Furthermore, Mr Yuen continued, in the present social environment, the general public had very high expectations of police work, and police officers were facing unprecedented stress.
He pointed out that police officers, apart from tackling traditional crimes with professional knowledge, had to investigate with a brilliant mind the ever-changing technology crimes, commercial crimes and frauds.
At the same time, police officers, whilst policing demonstrations, maintained public order and prevented accidents on one hand, and, on the other hand, allowed people to exercise their right of staging demonstrations. In this task, the difficulties frontline officers faced were quite obvious.
Apart from their daily chores, frontline officers had to take prompt and swift action to help the injured and maintain order at the scenes of accidents or natural disasters. The police's performances in the Lamma Island ferry tragedy deserved respect and recognition, Mr Yuen noted.
"Police work is a lot more than an occupation, most importantly involving a mission and commitment to serving the public. I encourage all of you to adhere to your vision and values, and live up to the expectations of the general public in face of challenges, small or big,กจ Mr Yuen said.
On parade were 35 Probationary Inspectors and 113 Recruit Police Constables.
PI, RPC show love and care
Shortly before passing out from Police College, the Probationary Inspectors and Recruit Police Constables of each training course will offer volunteer services in order to live up to "Caring for Community" and "Reaching out to Community" under community policing. Those marching off from the college on October 27 split up in five teams to visit the elderly, children with autism and delayed development, and Non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) youngsters on October 13 and 14.
First joint voluntary service with Doctor Pet
On the morning of October13, the Founder Executive Director of "Doctor Pet", Ms Winnie Luk, led her staff and nine "doctor pets", which are well trained, smart and lovely, to Police College. A talk on "love and respect pets" was given to the trainees, followed by practical training with the nine "doctors". Afterwards, the whole party paid a visit to the Pok Oi Hospital Au Yeung Lai Sim Memorial Day Care Centre for the elderly, where the senior citizens were greatly delighted to meet, touch and kiss the canine visitors.
The trainees played two games with the elderly while the "doctor pets" brought laughers and happiness to everybody.
Visit to hidden and solitary elderly
A group of trainees visited the "hidden elderly"living in Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, distributed gifts to them and updated their situations with a questionnaire. The trainees' enthusiasm and care warmed the elderly's hearts and earned their respect.
Another group of trainees threw a small party at the Buddhist Foo Wong Hop Neighbourhood Elderly Centre in Kwai Chung. By staging a drama, the trainees made the elderly more aware of conmen and boosted their confidence in the police.
Visit to Catherine Lo Centre
At Heep Hong Society's Catherine Lo Centre, the fourth team warmed the hearts of children with autism and delayed development as well as their parents. The trainees showed their care and concern, and broke the ice by organising tailor-made games for the children. Some trainees dressed up in different uniforms and treated the children to a demonstration of foot drill in an ambience of joy and warmth.
Visit to NEC Centre
During a visit to the Urdu Neighbour Centre in Tokwawan on October 14, the fifth team showed NEC youngsters a video on the campus life in Police College and illustrated the Force's values and vision to give a better picture of police work. The youngsters actively joined the trainees in team building exercises, bringing the atmosphere to a climax. Before their departure, the trainees encouraged the NEC youngsters to get equipped for joining the Force in the future.
Trainees' feedback
"It's a blessing to give than to receive" may best describe the trainees' feelings and observations of offering community services.
Mr Yuen inspecting the smart turnout
Mr Yuen taking the salute
Shortly after the passing-out parade, Mr Yuen,
accompanied by CP, meets Recruit Police Constables and offers them
words of encouragement 
Mr Yuen
and CP congratulate Probationary Inspectors on reaching a major
milestone of their police career
Trainees and the elderly break down barriers through
the "doctor pets"
Trainees teach NEC youngsters
team-building work
Trainees have a lot of interaction with the elderly
during a quiz game
NEC youngsters share the fun of a game
with trainees