Paul Surtees writes that Hong Kong is blessed with an exceptional police force whose officers contribute much to society even when they are no longer on duty

Recently some citizens have literally hurled bricks at local police officers, and others also unfairly abused them by complaining about their simply doing their job. This article explores how very much the Hong Kong community is served by our police officers, even when off duty.

In some current recruitment advertisements, people are encouraged to join the famous Hong Kong Police Force "to reach full potential". The intensive and challenging pre-service and in-service training of police officers goes a long way toward achieving that objective. And the demanding police job duties themselves, widely ranging as they are - as well as being very varied, unpredictable and sometimes outright dangerous - often bring out the best in those of our younger generation who choose Hong Kong's greatly respected police force as their career path. Part of the ethos of the Hong Kong Police Force has been, for generations, serving the community on duty as well as off.

Many a new police recruit is attracted to take up the role for its obvious public-service nature. But their desire to provide community support is not limited to just what they do in uniform during each day's tiring shift. Policemen and women are often to be seen supporting the wider community in their free time and the enlightened police management actively encourages these very worthwhile examples of voluntary service.

Under the umbrella of the Police Chinese Culture Club, sub-groups such as the Chinese Classical Dance Group, the Chinese Opera Group and the Chinese Orchestra Group gather for their own enjoyment, to promote Chinese culture, and to entertain our citizens - such as by performing in care homes for the elderly, where their activities are warmly appreciated by the residents.

Indeed, so great is the interest level of police officers to contribute more to society through voluntary activities that the Police Volunteer Service Corps has been set up specifically to guide them to appropriate organizations to apply their zeal for voluntary work. Thousands of police officers each year are guided to channel their enthusiasm and particular skills to the most appropriate voluntary service outlets. That organization has itself received the Hong Kong Volunteer Award for a voluntary group; while several serving police officers have received the same award as individual volunteers. Well over 100,000 hours of very worthwhile voluntary endeavor are recorded from off-duty police officers each year via this very busy agency.

The wide range of voluntary activities is still growing. It includes helping out on programs designed to steer our wayward youngsters away from drugs; supporting the elderly; aiding the physically handicapped; supporting the victims of domestic violence and much else besides. Such volunteerism even reaches beyond the confines of Hong Kong, such as when helping students in the mountainous regions of Yunnan province, and helping orphans and the elderly in Shenzhen. Many police officers undertake these types of volunteer activities on a sustained, long-term basis. They are rewarded by having the satisfaction of really helping the less-fortunate in society in practical ways.

The entirely voluntary (but nevertheless very professional) Hong Kong Police Choir - active since 1977 - carries out a wide variety of musical performances each year. These range from singing at Christmas shows for handicapped children; to Leisure and Cultural Services Department concerts; to performing at graduation dinners; to singing at Scout balls; as well as singing at wider Hong Kong government functions.

When organizing charity functions here in Hong Kong, I have often had the active support of off-duty police officers at these large-scale events. As might be expected from members of a disciplined organization, they invariably show up on time, and are helpful in every way. In so doing, they greatly contribute to the success of such charity events, and thereby helping raise funds for different causes.

These many exemplary voluntary service rendered by police officers in their private spare time not only was appreciated by many lucky recipient sectors of the community, they also do much to endear themselves to the members of the public. Such practical help is undeniably more effective in building a good image for our police force than pure promotion campaigns. These efforts should be recognized for the many concrete benefits they brought to the needy, as well as for helping each police officer reach his or her full potential and realize their respective idealism. Our police officers truly deserve to be called "Hong Kong's Finest" not only for maintaining law and order, but also for helping to create a more caring society.

(HK Edition 04/05/2016 page10)