SGT Ip Shing-kei reaches major milestone of lifelong learning
"When I was a kid, I had a special feeling about Cops because they would help people in need," Sergeant (SGT) Ip Shing-kei recalled. That feeling, plus the fact that his father was working in the Force as a Sergeant, made him aspire to becoming a police officer. Then in 1995 after obtaining his General Certificate of Education in the UK, he joined the Force and commenced training at the former Police Training School in November the same year, taking the first major step of his career.
While working in the Hong Kong Island Emergency Unit, he studied hard police work on the frontline every day. "As I take police work as my lifelong career, I should know more about laws and the things around me," he reckoned. Therefore, he enrolled for the Certificate Course on Criminal Justice offered by the Hong Kong University School of Professional and Continuing Education. Later, he also enrolled for a bridging course that leads to the award of a Bachelor Degree. Subsequently after four "fulfilling" years, he obtained his BA degree in 2005.
Time management key to success
For his certificate course, SGT Ip attended class twice per week. It was no easy job for him to cope with the heavy workload and shift duties of the EU and his studies at the same time. Fortunately by that time he was very familiar with the EU's operations and outdoor work. With the support of his superiors and colleagues for his continuous studies, he remained undaunted and persistent in the face of hardship.
He was posted to Commercial Crime Bureau while studying for his BA degree. Though working hours were more regular, there was more overtime work. "The court of law has its own time schedule. Therefore, one must exercise time management," he quipped.
Enjoying bigger social circle
In class, SGT Ip came to know many officers working in other disciplined services. A common practice among them was sharing of experience and knowledge. For example, SGT Ip had asked his classmates from Immigration Department about illegal immigration, much to the benefit of his studies.
SGT Ip lost no time putting book knowledge to good use at work. He noted: "Some shops, due to insufficient lighting or design flaws, had too many concealed places, giving thugs a good chance. Whenever possible, I reminded the staff not to store valuable things in dark corners and to keep passages clear so that sales staff could have a better view, or to install reflective mirrors and high power lights to prevent theft. Some shop owners told me that minor changes did bring improvements. Learning that my suggestions worked was a big job satisfaction for me."
Working as a School Liaison Officer in Western District, SGT Ip found the devious behaviour of youngsters, drugs and sub-culture he had learned from books were very useful to his job. With the training provided by the Force on communication and counselling, he took the problems of juvenile delinquency in his strides. He listened to youngsters' problems and feelings and followed their mindsets instead of exerting authorities and remaining unfriendly.
Lifelong learning
opens up new thoughts
SGT Ip encourages fellow officers to pursue continuous studies. For him, whether or not studies would help promotion is not as important as opening up new thoughts, broadening social circle, making more friends and learning to examine problems from different perspectives.
Combining work and studies, SGT Ip coped with a lot of problems and stress, but for him, "there's a will, there's a way". His advice for fellow officers is: "First set a goal and make a resolution. Maintain a dialogue with, and secure the support of, your family and partner. Then achieving your goal would not be too difficult.
(Editor's
note:
SGT
Ip is now working in Complaints Against Police Office.)
A
big
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SGT Ip