Besides regular police officers, members of the Auxiliary Police Force carried out duties at various locations during Operation SOLARPEAK. OffBeat has talked to three auxiliary police officers - Inspector (Auxiliary) Kwong Yee-fai, Sergeant (Auxiliary) Ng Shui-kit and Police Constable (Auxiliary) Lee Pui-ying - about their feelings of their task.

 

"We had seamless co-operation with our regular counterparts while discharging duties at the demonstration areas," said IP (A) Kwong, who has nearly 16 years' auxiliary police service to his credit. He still has a vivid memory of the confrontation between protesters and people having dissenting views in Mong Kok: "At that time, we were outnumbered by the protesters, and one camp was being surrounded. Even use of loud hailers did not work in trying to calm down both parties. While waiting for reinforcement, we could only protect the people at scene." 

 

IP (A) Kwong pointed out that the incident showed that auxiliary police officers are capable of assisting the regular police in maintaining law and order, thus relieving the latter's work pressure.

 

For SGT (A) Ng, the incident underscored the mutual trust between the regular and the auxiliary.  "We always say 'regular and auxiliary in one', which was regarded by some colleagues in the past as merely a slogan. But during the incident, I found no difference between the regular and the auxiliary but a close relationship. While discharging duties, they were not conscious of identity or status and offered a helping hand whenever and wherever necessary, fully exemplifying the spirit of unity." He added that the incident also allowed him to apply his police skills in practical police work.

 

PC (A) Lee is an undergraduate and she joined the Auxiliary Police last year. She is delighted that her classmates backed her up for her job. "They gave me a lot of encouragement. My family was equally supportive, asking me if I got enough sleep and reminding me to take care of my body."

 

SGT (A) Ng is thankful for public support for his job. "A little girl gestured a kiss for me when I came across a family, and people cheered me on."

 

All the three officers share the view that there would be no work pressure as long as they get their job done.