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The following is the speech delivered by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tang King-shing, at the Force Remembrance Day today (October 26):
Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to pay tribute to members of the Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force who have given their lives in the line of duty.
This solemn ceremony is a fitting tribute to the dedication and fortitude of all those who have served in the past 160 years, including our regular officers, Auxiliary colleagues and civilian staff.
Time and time again we police officers confront danger and continually face the uncertainty of whether our duty to protect and serve will place us in harm’s way. We however do not flinch from this challenge to ensure our community can live in a safe and stable society.
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. 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. Traditions which our younger generation of officers must take forward into the future.
To all of you present here today I now ask that you remain standing and following the ‘Last Post’ join with me in observing a two-minute silence in memory of all the officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Police Report No. 3
Ends/Friday, October 26, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:25
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