Retiring D OPS calls on officersto serve with heart and soul
Director of Operations (D OPS) Mr Hung Hak-wai is calling it a day with mixed feelings after nearly 38 years' service with the Force. He is pleased to see that the Force is keeping abreast of the times and that the quality of Force members is rising continuously. However, he is worried the radical behaviour of a minority of citizens are causing more and more stress for frontline officers.
Gratitude
to frontline officers
Over the past seven years, Mr Hung has handled many public order events both large and small as Hong Kong Island Regional Commander and subsequently Director of Operations. He concedes that citizens' expectations of the Force are growing all the time and he respects their right to monitor the Force. He is grateful to officers for not flinching from their duty even in the face of unpleasant incidents and unreasonable accusations.
He points out that it is most important for officers to get their jobs done, take on challenges and examine problems from a positive angle. Depending on one's personal views, there is always "a sliver lining to every cloud". Speaking of public order events, Mr Hung stressed that the Force respects the participants' freedom of speech and does its best to facilitate lawful and orderly activities. However, the Force is legally obliged to take resolute action when participants' behaviour affects public safety and order. "In this respect, officers' performances have not let us down," Mr Hung said with pride.
Mr Hung hopes that the general public will come to appreciate the dual role the Force plays in policing public order events. For him, officers are not only a law enforcer, but also a facilitator, and they have to strike a balance between these two roles. He stressed: "In handling public order events over the past seven years, politics was never a factor. Our priority was to help the participants and organising bodies complete their activities in a safe, orderly and peaceful manner." Therefore, he hopes that participants will co-operate with officers to minimize the impact on other members of the public and road users.
Attempting new
frontiers
Mr Hung has worked in the crime stream, the uniform branch, and both training and administration posts, garnering a wealth of experience during his long career. He admits that he does not like some jobs but he never treats them as "painful work". Because of his initial lack of interest and feeling of not knowing the job well, he treated such jobs gingerly and put in extra effort to get them done, eventually finding job satisfaction.
Therefore, Mr Hung encourages officers to put their heart and soul into the jobs they dislike. In his view, they will, during this process, not only broaden their horizons, but also gain exposure to different types of work. Operating in one's comfort zone does not bring progress. It is attempting new things that unlocks one's potential. One's personal attitude towards work is more important than opportunities, which are out of one's control. "For personal development, one has to get the job done and display one's performance," says Mr Hung.
Introducing
new technology
Mr Hung has witnessed the Force develop from strength to strength and make great strides on many fronts. He agrees that both officers and organisations have to keep pace with the times by introducing new technology to enhance work efficiency. The introduction of the ‘Body Worn Video Camera'is a major step forward, for which the Force has obtained legal advice from both the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the Department of Justice. The camera is capable of providing accurate records. Mr Hung's biggest wish is to find a way to use technology to replace the time-consuming job of making written records to reduce the stress for frontline officers. Whilst streamlining work processes and providing accurate records, the technology will also be capable of protecting the rights of officers and the general public.
The Force has also devoted considerable resources to training in new equipment and technology. Tackling technology crimes is one of the Force's priorities. In the face of complex and changing modus operandi brought about by advances in cutting-edge technology, the Force is moving intechnology and knowledge-based direction.
Continuous
studies and a balanced life
Mr Hung's passion for attempting new frontiers spurred him to study for a Master's Degree in business administrationat the Chinese University. Noting that the subject was a big challenge for him, Mr Hung said, "When coming across a new thing, you've to examine and analyse it from a new angle. As a member of the management team, I found my subject very inspiring." In line with the Force's tradition of striving for excellence, Mr Hung started studying for a Doctorate Degree in 2008 after obtaining his Master's Degree, eventually obtaining his Doctor of Business Administration Degree in 2011 from the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Describing his academic road as "bumpy", Mr Hung says he spent a lot of time searching for documentary records including lunch time and sacrificed many weekends, holidays and social functions. He encourages officers to pursue self-enhancement so that they can grasp the opportunities that may come their way. Officers can only advance in their careers with effort and ability. However, he stresses that officers, whilst pursuing continuous studies, must also take their careers seriously, get their jobs done first and strike a work-life balance.
Mr Hung reminds officers that early planning is essential for pursuing a meaningful and full life. "Though continuous studies are difficult, they can help us make a breakthrough in our thinking and face new challenge with more confidence," he concludes.
Picking
up hobbies
Proceeding on pre-retirement leave on February 18, Mr Hung says "I've gained a lot but also missed a lot. In the different stages of life, we have to do different things." He is grateful to his wife for her support and understanding. Therefore, besides spending a lot of time with his family, Mr Hung intends to pick up again his hobbies of sport and photography. As for work after retirement, he keeps an open mind.
He uses his motto "You can never please all, but you must always be loyal to your conscience" as his parting advice for officers and encourages them to get their job done, try their best in every job, equip themselves better and get ready to take on challenges.
Mr Hung received the
Police Medal for Distinguished Service at Government House in 2010
Mr Hung signed the VIP
Book at Police Tactical Unit Headquarters as a Passing-out Parade
Reviewing Officer last year