POLICE MUSEUM
Bravery under a Hail of Bullets
Featured Exhibits

Description

In the 1980s and 1990s, the number of cases involving firearms in Hong Kong rose sharply. 66 armed robberies occurred in 1990 alone. Criminals armed with high-powered firearms opened fire to rob in busy areas.

Police officers feared no dangers and were determined to protect the life and property of citizens and maintain law and order. The commendation awards for Station Sergeant Ng Keung and Sergeant Kwok Hak-man are evidence of the bravery of Hong Kong’s police officers in their fight against criminals.

In 1979, one year after joining the Force, 25-year-old Ng Keung was shot at close range on patrol while stopping a wanted man. This caused paraplegia. However, he was not despondent. On the contrary, he remained positive, recovered slowly and returned to work the day after he was discharged from hospital and became Hong Kong’s first “police officer in a wheelchair”. Mr. Ng worked hard to learn different skills to adapt to his new job, became active in sports and later became a basketball coach in his wheelchair. His dedication over the years was recognised by his superiors and he was promoted to Sergeant in 1983 and Station Sergeant in 1997. After retiring in 2013, Mr. Ng is still actively involved in volunteer activities to help other people with disabilities. On 11 September 2016, he was presented with the “Top Ten Regeneration Warriors” Award in recognition of his diligence and willingness to help others.

On 3 September 1990, three armed robbers broke into a watch shop in Central and robbed it of HK$7 million worth of luxury watches. The shop staff informed the police and Sergeant Kwok Hak-man, who was on patrol nearby, arrived at the scene and met the robbers. The armed robbers fired several shots. After returning three shots, Sergeant Kwok feared that a further exchange of fire would injure innocent passers-by, so the robbers took the opportunity to flee at this juncture. Although he was unable to arrest them immediately, Sergeant Kwok was awarded a commendation by then Governor David Wilson for his bravery against the armed robbers.

The Hong Kong Police Force has developed an operational strategy to deal with armed robberies. Coupled with effective collaboration with Mainland law enforcement agencies, armed robberies in Hong Kong have since been reduced to a negligible level.

More items

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Group Photograph of Hong Kong Police Detectives in 1916 and Detective Badges

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Reserve Police Armband

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The MacIntosh Collection

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The MacIntosh Observation Posts (Forts) Model

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Royal Hong Kong Police Cadet School's “Best All Round Cadet” Plaque

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Photographs and Collection of Mr. Li Kwan-ha

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Stockholm Challenge Award

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