Off Beat

"Hong Kong people policing Hong Kong"

Danny Hui (centre), along with fellow auxy constable squad No.4 members, parade past his father during their passing-out ceremony WORKING together with their regular colleagues, the auxiliary police are part of the Hong Kong Police Force in which Hong Kong people police Hong Kong, Commissioner of Police Eddie Hui Ki-on said at the first ever open day of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force at its new headquarters in Kowloon Bay on Sunday 22 November.
Mr Hui said that people joining the auxies came from all walks of life and were therefore representatives of a broad cross-section of Hong Kong society.
He pointed out that their backgrounds and careers gave them a wealth of experience to call upon when performing police duties.

Mr Hui noted that when members of the public needed police, they did not make a distinction between the regulars and auxiliaries: "They see the uniform and immediately know that they will be treated fairly, impartially and professionally. Both Forces wear the same uniform, apply the same laws and work in the same manner. The very fact that the public does not differentiate between the regulars and the auxiliaries is clear evidence of the extent to which both Forces are integrated."

Both Forces have played an important role in the history of Hong Kong and have traditionally worked very closely together.

The standards for those joining both Forces have always been similar, and this has ensured that both easily relate to each other.

"Emphasis on high quality training has enabled both organisations to turn out well trained and professional police officers," said Mr Hui, who also took the salute at the passing-out parade for 160 auxiliary constables which coincided with the day.

Doubly proud moment. Danny saluting his father before the latter presents him with the Silver Whistle Award

"By becoming a part-time police officer in the Auxiliary Police Force, you have the opportunity to engage in a community service that is interesting, personally rewarding and worthwhile," Mr Hui told the graduating recuits after inspecting the parade.

"Although police work is demanding, the skills and experience that you bring with you from your full-time jobs, coupled with the excellent training you have received here, gives you a solid foundation upon which to meet the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead."

Mr Hui advised the new graduates always to act honestly, fairly and in good faith.

PCAuxiliary Danny Hui

FOR the 160 auxiliary recruits of constable squads 1 through 5 passing-out on the day, no doubt it will go down in their hearts and minds as one the proudest and most memorable in their lives.

For no one is this more true than for auxiliary recruit, and now Auxiliary Police Constable Danny Hui, the recipient of the Silver Whistle for the best overall performance by a recruit constable in his squad (No. 4/98)-and the 29-year-old son of Hong Kong Police Commissioner Eddie Hui.

"I'm looking forward to him handing me the prize," Danny said a week earlier from his office at Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific), where since June 1997 he has worked in the operations department as an assistant manager handling the settlement of equities for the firm's greater China market including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

CP Hui and PCA Hui after the passing-out ceremony. Commented the younger Hui: "You cannot be in the Hui family and not feel the urge to serve the community in some capacity. In our case it's as a police officer"

After receiving and MA in international banking he did over three years training at a chartered accountancy firm in London before returning to Hong Kong in September 1996.

"Since the handover, a lot of my UK friends have been asking me if there's been a radical change in Hong Kong," he says. "I tell them I have noticed two differences: when I went to the Sevens last year, they didn't play God Save the Queen, and they didn't fly the Union Jack. That was it."

Danny Hui said he studied accountancy as a profession because he has always been interested in figures, and it was a way to get into the business world. He said he joined the Auxiliary Police because it was in his blood.

"You cannot be in the Hui family and not feel the urge to serve the community in some capacity," he smiled. "In our family's case it's as a police officer. Throughout my formative years all the family friends, uncles, etc. were police officers. And although I decided on a different career, I nonetheless developed a natural interest and inclination for police work.

"Becoming an auxy allows us regular citizens to get involved in directly helping the community. But it works both ways. As an auxy you contribute to society, but in return there's the opportunity for self-development and personal growth. The satisfaction at, for example, using your first aid training to help save a life is something you can't experience any way else. You help people, but in return the feeling that you are making a contribution is a reward in itself."

But make no mistake about it, Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force is not for everyone. Apart from being able to measure up to the Force's reqirements, recruits, who are professionals in other fields with full-time jobs, must be totally committed. For Danny Hui that meant committing himself to the programme: intensive training two nights a week, plus Sundays continuously for 24 weeks-six months.

"AUXIES place a lot of importance on firearms training. That took a long time," he recalls. "There was 11 weeks of shooting practice on Sundays and we had to go through some pretty strict exams. Although studying Hong Kong laws and rules and regulations was pretty interesting.

"Weekdays it's four hours per night. Sundays it ranges from 4 to 8 hours. Actually I'm going to need a break after the passing out," he laughs wiping his brow.

Danny Hui said that his decision to join the auxies was done independently. In fact, He handed in his application without telling his dad.

"When he found out, I don't know if he was surprised Ёа he doesn't usually show things like that," Danny laughs. "But I'm sure Dad has to be careful not to get involved. Neither I nor he would want or expect that I get anything approaching preferential treatment. Although along the way he did encourage me. He would ask how the exams were going, or whether I managed to get the Silver Whistle Ёа which I did."

After mentioning the award, Danny pauses. From the tone in his voice and the expression on his face it's quite evident that it means a great deal to him and was hard-earned-and as much for himself as for his father.

"I'm glad the Wanchai Divisional Commander is using auxies more and more alongside the regular police," he says changing the subject. "After passing out I hope to be posted in Wanchai, although they haven't told me where I'll be going.

"As an auxy the amount of time you serve is up to you. I think the minimum requirement is 8 hours per month. But that's nothing, really. I intend to spend one night per week, and then maybe a few hours over the weekend. Probably about 50 hours per month.

"I'm looking forward to getting on the beat," he added. "Naturally I do have worries about what I'll come across, but I'll have to take it as it comes and draw on the training and common sense."