POLICE MUSEUM
Police Badges of Past Generations
Featured Exhibits

Description

The Hong Kong Police Force underwent a number of transformations from a security unit in the early stage, to modernisation reform in the 1970s, to a third phase of development as a service-oriented professional police force in the early 1990s.

In the 1980s, as the resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong by China approached, the Force was gradually localised. In 1989, Mr. Li Kwan-ha rose to the rank of Commissioner of Police, the first ethnic Chinese officer to take the top job. Following the changing of society, the Force evolved from a paramilitary to a modern and service-oriented force. At the same time, the Force was committed to enhancing its transparency and strengthening its internal accountability system.

In the late 1980s, Hong Kong’s law and order had once deteriorated rapidly with armed robberies occurring repeatedly. The Force immediately carried out reviews and enhancement, beefed up its police powers, and moved towards greater professionalism.

Mr. Hui Ki-on, the second ethnic Chinese Commissioner of Police, actively promoted a culture of service and developed the Force Strategy on Quality of Service after taking up his office in 1994. A series of new measures were introduced to ensure that police services were delivered efficiently and effectively and would meet public expectation. Subsequently, the Force set out its “Force Vision and Statement of Common Purpose and Values”. In 1997, the Force took the Strategy a step further by launching the Customer Service Improvement Project.

After the handover in 1997, the Force was re-named the “Hong Kong Police Force” from “Royal Hong Kong Police Force” and the police badge had meaningful changes too. The crown at the top of the badge has been replaced by a bauhinia. The old fishing village on the badge has become Victoria Harbour in modern times and the Chinese characters “香港警察” (meaning “Hong Kong Police Force”) have been added to the badge. After leading the Force to make history, Mr. Hui Ki-on retired in 2001. He served the longest ever tenure as Commissioner of Police in the Hong Kong Police Force. Mr. Hui passed away on 3 May 2009.

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First Head of the Police Force William Caine’s Collection and Government Gazette of the Establishment of the Police Force in 1844

During the First Opium War, the British forces landed at Possession Point, Sheung Wan on 26 January 1841

The Force's Fire-Fighting Hand Cart in the 19th Century

There was no fire service in the early days of Hong Kong. Fire-fighting was

Photographs of the Old Water Police Station with the Old Rudder

Today Tsim Sha Tsui is home to 1881 Heritage, a fashionable, luxury shopping mall with a heritage

The First Plague Medal

In 1894, Hong Kong’s health and security were put to the test when bubonic plague broke

Special Constable Armband in World War II

The Special Constable system was introduced in 1886, when the Peace Preservation Ordinance was passed to allow

「The Tiger of Sheung Shui」

In the early days of Hong Kong, tigers were often found in the New Territories. Tiger hunting was one of the police duties.

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

Since its formal establishment the Hong Kong Police Force has always had

Reserve Police Armband

World War I broke out in 1914. Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August of the same year.

The MacIntosh Collection

Duncan William MacIntosh became Commissioner of Police in 1946, shouldering the important responsibility

The MacIntosh Observation Posts (Forts) Model

After World War II, the political instability in the Mainland caused an influx of large numbers of Mainland residents into Hong Kong

Former Female Searcher’s Badge, Passing-Out Photographs of the First Intake of Female Police Officers and Female Police Officers’ Equipment

The special wedding allowance for female police officers, also known as the “dowry token”, sounds really unbelievable today.

Dog Handler’s Arm Badge

As you can see, the police officer wearing this armband is a dog handler – also known as a

Old-Fashioned Telephone Switchboard for Use in 999 Emergency Communication Systems

Before World War II, there was no radio communication system between the Police Headquarters

Crime Scene Evidence Collection Kit in the Last Century

As early as the Zhou Dynasty in China in the 11th century B.C., fingerprints were already regarded as

Old Style Riot Helmets and Shields

In the 1950s and 1960s, Hong Kong experienced large-scale unrest and riots on several occasions such as the

Old Style Traffic Police Helmet and Motorcycle with a Sidecar

In the early days of Hong Kong, like in many parts of China, the roads were mainly used

Bomb Disposal Vehicle and Bomb Suit in the 1970s

Bombs detonated during the many riots in Hong Kong before the 1970s caused deaths and injuries

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

In the 1960s and 1970s, due to family difficulties, many young people in Hong Kong were

Communication Equipment in Different Eras

To provide a prompt and effective service to 999 emergency callers,

Vietnamese Boat People’s Weapons and Coracle

Beginning in the mid-1970s, an influx of Vietnamese boat people disturbed

Photographs and Collection of Mr. Li Kwan-ha

After the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration in 1984

Bravery under a Hail of Bullets

In the 1980s and 1990s, the number of cases involving firearms in Hong Kong

Stockholm Challenge Award

Protective Gear for the Police Tactical Unit in 2005

The Force's 175th Anniversary Special Stamps and Open Day Tickets

In the first half of 2019, the Hong Kong Police Force organised a series of activities to celebrate its 175th anniversary

Operation TIDERIDER Medal

The Operation TIDERIDER Medal is the first medal in the history of the Hong Kong Police Force to