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The following is the speech delivered by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Lee Ming-kwai, at the Force Remembrance Day today (November 5):
Ladies and gentlemen, we gather here today to pay tribute to members of the Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong Auxiliary Police who have given their lives in the line of duty.
This solemn ceremony is also a fitting tribute to the dedication and fortitude of all those who have served in the past 160 years, including our present strength of 26,700 regular officers, 4,000 Auxiliary colleagues and 5,000 civilian staff.
Today we honour the memory of those officers both Regular and Auxiliary who, whilst performing their sworn duty, have given their lives in the service of the people of Hong Kong. Time and time again we police officers confront danger. In confronting our duty to protect and serve we are placed in harm’s way. We however do not flinch from this challenge, no matter what the cost, so that our community can live in a safe and stable society. These loyal and brave officers, through their resolute and sober acceptance of their duty, have made the ultimate sacrifice. They are an example to us all.
Ladies and gentlemen we are particularly honoured today by the presence of members of the Hong Kong Police Old Comrades Association, the Royal Hong Kong Police Association and other former-members of the Hong Kong Police Force. Like the many
officers who came before them they represent the finest traditions of human decency for which the Force is both famed and justifiably proud: the mantle of which will be passed on to our younger generation of officers to carry forward into the future.
Police Report No. 3
Ends/Saturday, November 5, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:01
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