Auxiliary police proudly shoulder heavier duty

One night in August, one of the most chaotic during Hong Kong's six months of civil unrest, hundreds of radicals launched attacks on the Tsim Sha Tsui police station in West Kowloon. A gasoline bomb, one of dozens that protesters hurled, flew over the station wall, struck an officer and set him on fire.

Armed with fireproof riot gear, auxiliary police officer Wong did not hesitate to jump on the officer and put out the blaze with his body.

"I didn't know what else to do. I just knew it was dangerous and I had to put the fire out," Wong told China Daily.

Wong saved his colleague, who suffered second-degree burns over 10 percent of his body. Wong also had bruises and burns on his calf and wrist.

Wong and more than 3,000 other auxiliary police officers have been assigned extra duties to cope with the severe strain on manpower amid escalating protest violence in the city. They stand guard and patrol as assemblies which often culminate in violence take place. They also help defend the police stations that radical protesters attack.

Wong said he was glad to serve more because he could not bear to stand by and watch the violence rock the city.

The experience brought him a stronger sense of mission to protect people and their property. Over the past 25 years as an auxiliary police officer, he mostly assisted the regular police in managing crowds during major events and holidays.

Wong also works as a full-time security guard. He takes on his second job three to five times a week during off-hours or holidays.

After he was injured in August, his family suggested he reduce his part-time hours, but he insisted on sticking to it. "I could at least handle simple daily tasks, and that would help relieve pressure on my colleagues," he said. Front-line police have been working an average of 12 to 16 hours a day for the past six months.

The pressure has been unprecedented for Wong. He distinctly remembered that one day, his unit cordoned off a residential area responding to a fire alarm. Some residents, frustrated at not being able to go home, vented their pent-up anger stemming from the unrest at police.

"But we can't give way. We know that compromise will put them at risk," Wong said.

Wong recalled that he decided to join the force as a young man because he thought the role "powerful". But what has kept him going is the satisfaction he receives every time he helps people.

However, that also means missing time with his family. Wong barely spends any of the Christmas and Lunar New Year holidays with his wife and children. He still has their support, as his job has made his family proud.