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Probationary Inspectors (PIs) at the Police Training School (PTS) knew they were up for a tough drilling when they enrolled, but little did they expect their hard-nosed instructor to be a woman.

Don't be fooled by the pretty face, the school's first female Drill and Weapons Instructor, Senior Inspector Chiang Lai-shan, is a no-nonsense trainer, as strict as the guys both in the firing range and the drill square.

"I see in Madam Chiang what equality is all about - if you work hard, you are going to succeed regardless of your sex," said PI Lung Siu-chuen.

Though Mr Lung and his colleagues in the 464th and 465th Intakes were braced for some hard training when they enrolled in October last year, they were left gobsmacked when introduced to 'Madam Chiang'.

Since then, the PIs have felt both the 'down to business' wrath of Ms Chiang along with the heartfelt after-hours care she also volunteers, two things they believe have sped them through their training.

Ms Chiang joined the Force as a Police Constable in 1986, gaining a lot of experience in handling criminal cases. With her top performance, she was promoted to Inspector in 1994 and advanced to Senior Inspector in 1997.

"By that time, I wanted to have something different for my career in the Force. I really loved footdrills during my days as a recruit police constable in the PTS. The orderly and precise rhythm was simply wonderful and made me long for the chance to give commands myself.

"So with this, coupled with an intense interest in the use of firearms, I applied to be an instructor at the PTS," Ms Chiang said.

However, it was a real hard time at the beginning with considerable pressure on the first woman instructor.

"It is completely different to be an instructor, you have got so much more to learn. And I appreciate my senior officers for letting me attend special training classes for instructors. My colleagues are all very nice and caring and never fail to help me out," she said.

And there is little doubt she has taken on her new post with a fervour, giving personal advice to each student, even on the firing range.

When it came to using guns, Ms Chiang was an old hand. Back in the days when women police officers were not required to carry guns, she had the courage and enthusiasm to enrol in firearms training which she said was not only out of personal interest, but also for the benefit of her career development. Talk to any PI and they will tell you 'Madam Chiang' is a tough and strict instructor with little compromise.

"She is tough but never fails to set a good example of a police officer. However, she is also very caring and would tend to our smallest needs," PI Yiu Kit-yee said.

To her students Ms Chiang is a private tutor as well.

"She has sacrificed her lunch time to have special classes for us and thanks to her help, we have made good progress," Mr Lung said.

Because of the imminent re-organisation of the PTS's Drill and Weapons Section, Ms Chiang will be its first and last woman instructor, so she and her PIs feel fortunate to have known each other. Despite the sometimes tough exterior, Ms Chiang is bracing for her emotional side to surface during her students' up-coming graduation.

"Imagine how happy I will be to see them passing-out in a few weeks,"

Police Report No.6

Issued by PPRB

End/1430 hrs, Wednesday, May 19, 1999 (PL)

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