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To uphold the rule of law and maintain the stability of a community, it was essential to have an efficient and quality Police Force, Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, said today (April 13) when inspecting a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Police College.
Professor Cheung noted that Police had been working closely with the Transport and Housing Bureau on road safety and related law enforcement issues.
ˇ§With the support of the Force, the efforts on combating drug driving since the legislative amendments in mid-March 2012 have begun to produce results. In the first 12 months after the amendments, police officers made 121 Drug Influence Recognition Observations and conducted 34 Impairment Tests. During the enforcement, 27 drivers were prosecuted.ˇ¨
A new legislative amendment was also introduced to enhance public light bus safety in mid-April last year. Since the amendment, police officers have conducted various territory-wide operations to ensure the safety of road users.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that increasing awareness of civic rights, close media scrutiny and accountability of public officers to the public highlighted the importance of rights and freedom. In this atmosphere, police officers face more challenges ahead and they need to handle processions and demonstrations on top of combating crime to maintain stability in Hong Kong.
Professor Cheung gave some advice to encourage the graduates. First, he noted that as law enforcers, police officers must behave with honesty and integrity to maintain public confidence in the Force.
Secondly, he pointed out that members of the public had raised their demands and expectations of police services in the fast changing community. He hoped the graduates could put into practice the knowledge and skills they had learnt in the training. They should also keep learning and gaining practical experience to broaden their horizons and enhance professionalism.
He also encouraged the graduates to strike a balance between work and life as police officers were under tremendous pressure. Hobbies, spiritual activities and good relationships with family and friends may help releasing work pressure.
A total of 41 probationary inspectors and 205 recruit constables passed out today.
Police Report No.176
Ends/Saturday, April 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 13:30
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