A donation to the Police Welfare Fund and the Community Chest marks the successful conclusion of celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the former Police Cadet School. Two major celebration events were the 40th Anniversary Gala Dinner and a revisit to the school campus at Fan Gardens, held on September 6 and 8 last year respectively.

 

The Anniversary Gala Dinner attracted over 900 former police cadets and school staff filling up 75 tables. Mrs Danielle Birney, wife of the late Mr Paddy Birney, who was the school's first and only Commandant, flew in from the UK for the dinner party with her son, Alexendar, and daughter, Alicia. Welcoming the family at the dinner were former Deputy Commandants, Messrs Tsui Yiu-kwong, Dennis Cunningham, Lam Kin and Ng Hon-kwan.

 

Among the guests of honour from the disciplined services were Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Lo Wai-chung, former Police College Director Cheng Se-lim, Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin, Assistant Director of Fire Services, Mr Lo Siu-hang, Commandant of Fire Services Training School, Mr Liu Tze-leung, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Lau Tak-choi, and Commandant of Customs and Excise Training School, Mr Lee Yuen-man. 

 

Before the dinner started, members of the 40th Anniversary Working Committee sang the Cadet School song, Mrs Birney and the former deputy commandants delivered speeches and a video was screened, bringing everyone back to the school's good old days and glorious history.

 

Two days later on September 8, 1,800 guests and former cadets revisited Fan Gardens, now being occupied by the Police Driving and Traffic Training Centre (PD&TTC), including Mrs Birney's family, Mr Cheng, Regional Commander New Territories North So Kam-sing, who was a former House Master in the cadet school, and Superintendent (PD&TTC) So Kam-pang.

 

During the revisit, Police Band, Police Dog Unit and Police Chinese Wushu Club staged various performances. The band also joined the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps in a demonstration of ceremonial foot-drill. In an activity area, the Police Adventure Club put up displays on cadets' outdoor activities ranging from abseiling, canoeing to solo exercise. 

 

There was also a mock cadet recruitment with many kids taking part to experience the recruitment process, such as height and weight measurement, mini shuttle run for physical fitness test and simulated interview.  

 

Finally, the unspent funding generated by the celebration events has been donated to the Police Welfare Fund and Community Chest to underscore Force's social responsibilities.

 

The 40th Anniversary Working Committee takes the opportunity to thank participants and the Force for their contributions to the success of the anniversary celebration. Those who have missed the celebration events or are interested in the history of the cadet school may browse the 40th Anniversary Edition at Force Library, Hong Kong Central Library and other major libraries.