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The Chairman of Urban Renewal Authority, Mr Barry Cheung Chun-yuen, today (November 26) encouraged the graduates to adopt a strong yet humane attitude to face future challenges when inspecting a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Police College.
Strong is to maintain law and order and safeguard public safety. It should be regarded as the most important principle and cannot be stepped back. While respecting the right to expression, the Police would not allow anybody to violate the laws and affect other people. ¡§Rule of Law¡¨ is fundamental to Hong Kong¡¦s success.
Humane is to respect the freedom of speech and facilitate the members of the public to express their views provided that their actions are in compliance with the law and do not affect others. ¡§Freedom of expression¡¨ is the core value of the society.
In delivering his speech, Mr Cheung noted that Hong Kong was a mature society and the people were aware of their rights and expressed their views in various ways. As law enforcement officers, police were required to exercise a high level of patience and judgment.
"Being a frontline public officer, you are expected to fight crime and uphold law and order. In times of distress and trouble, you will often be the first to be approached and to mediate disputes,¡¨ he said.
¡§Being strong yet humane is not easy. However, I am confident that the performance of the Police have enabled it to maintain its reputation as one of the most effective police forces in the world,¡¨ he said.
Mr Cheung believed that the graduates would uphold a high level of professionalism and fine traditions of the Force and to serve the public in a strong yet humane manner with a view to building a society respecting the rule of law and protecting individual liberties.
A total of 18 probationary inspectors and 150 recruit constables passed out today.
Police Report No. 75
Ends/Saturday, November 26, 2011
Issued at HKT 13:11
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