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The following is the speech delivered by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Tsang Wai-hung, at the Force Remembrance Day today (November 11):
We are gathered here today to pay tribute to both the Regular and Auxiliary members of the Hong Kong Police Force 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 members of staff who have served with the Force over the past 170 years.
Today, we honour the memory of those who, whilst performing their sworn duty, have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the service of the people of Hong Kong. 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 harmˇ¦s way. For the sake of the safety and stability of our community, we will never flinch from this challenge.
And, this promise has particular resonance this year. Over the last six weeks, the Force has faced unprecedented challenges dealing with the ongoing unlawful assembly here in Hong Kong. To date, over 60 of our officers policing these events have been injured, thankfully none too seriously. And, on a day when we are thinking of our fallen comrades, I can promise you all that we will honour their memories through continuing to rise to the current challenges facing us; through continuing to police Hong Kong with neither fear nor favour; and through continuing, as we have always done, to serve our community by upholding public order and public safety in this great city of ours.
In this ceremony, we are joined by 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 service to the community for which the Force is both famed and justifiably proud ˇV traditions, which are passed on from generation to generation.
To all of you present here today, may I ask that you remain standing, and following the ˇ§Last Postˇ¨ 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.
Ends/Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:41
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