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Students from local universities and post-secondary education institutions were invited to attend the Auxiliary Police Undergraduate Scheme Open Day held at the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) headquarters today (November 3) to learn more about the training and duties of the auxiliary police.
The open day was aimed at attracting more energetic undergraduates to join the auxiliary police to serve the community. Apart from exhibition of police equipment and training information, demonstrations on tactics were also shown to the students. Several undergraduate auxiliary police officers also shared their experience with the visitors.
The Commandant of HKAPF, Mr Yiu Yeung-lung, said that over the years, auxiliary police officers have been making use of their leisure time on top of their principal employment to provide dedicated services to the community, contributing to the safety and stability of Hong Kong.
He pointed out that more than 1,000 undergraduates from post-secondary education institutions had joined the HKAPF since the Auxiliary Police Undergraduate Scheme (AUS) was launched in 2003. The scheme has proved to be a success as evaluated from the performances of the young auxiliary police officers.
ˇ§Firstly, auxiliary policeˇ¦s disciplinary training is propitious to the personal growth and development of the students. Their contact with members of the public through police duties will also enhance their inter-personal communication skills as well as analytical abilities and resourcefulness.
ˇ§Secondly, auxiliary police provide a valuable opportunity for young students to serve the community, and enhance their sense of belonging and responsibility. They will also share their positive values with their classmates, friends and family members.
ˇ§The AUS also provides HKAPF with a new recruitment channel and is conducive to maintaining our strength and capabilities to provide professional services to the community,ˇ¨ Mr Yiu said.
As a result of the success, the HKAPF have increased the intake of undergraduates from 128 to 192 per year, Mr Yiu added.
Undergraduate auxiliary police recruits will receive a 12-week full time training programme during the summer vacation. The training will cover laws, police practices, procedures, police rules, foot drill, as well as weapon and tactics training.
The auxiliary police have been providing valuable support to the regular police in their daily performance of beat patrol and crowd management duties for major public events and pre-planned operations. They may also be called out to provide service at times of natural disasters or civil emergencies.
More details about HKAPF recruitment are available at www.police.gov.hk. The application deadline for the AUS is November 15, 2012.
Police Report No. 221
Ends/Saturday, November 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:15
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