Three Auxiliary Police Officers have pulled off "Distinction" in the Promotion to Sergeant Qualifying Examination (Auxillary) 2014. They are Police Constable (Auxiliary) (PC (A)) Law Chi-wai from Sha Tin Division (A) Patrol Sub-unit (PSU) 3, PC (A) Yu Kwok-man from Chai Wan Division (A) PSU 4, and PC (A) Ho Ying-wai from Tsim Sha Tsui Division (A) PSU 2.

 

What is their key to success in the exam, besides familiarisation with "Police General Orders", "Force Procedures Manual" and "Police Manual"? How did they manage to achieve the outstanding result while taking care of their regular employments and auxiliary police work at the same time? They have shared their experiences with OffBeat. 

 

 

In taking the promotion exam, PC (A) Law, besides "confirming" his ability, wanted to show his kids that one has to pursue lifelong learning and get better equipped regardless of age. Taking the exam for the second attempt, he hoped his kids would form a "never giving up" attitude.

 

PC (A) Law recommends the Mock Test to officers who have never attempted the test because they would be able to find out their weakness and make improvement in many aspects. "In the actual exam, study the questions carefully before giving your answers," he suggested. 

 

Working as a management staff in a telecommunications firm, PC (A) Law tackles different problems with his colleagues, and from this job he found team spirit applicable for auxiliary police work, which, he said, helped him brush up his management and communication skills.

 

 

Studying the Debriefing Report of the promotion exam and reading more newspapers contributed to PC (A) Yu's outstanding result in the exam. "While reading news about crimes and law courts, I asked myself, if I were the investigating officer, which law I should enforce and which law the culprit has breached." For him, this approach was "thought provoking" and enhanced his knowledge of the law.

 

He sat for the promotion exam in order to show that his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, auxiliary police work are on a par with those of the regular officers. He pointed out that those taking part-time police work as a long-term commitment should familiarise themselves with the law and police manuals.

 

Working in Lands Department, his knowledge of the law helps him handle land deeds and prosecution matters more effectively, just like performing his auxiliary police duties.

 

 

PC (A) Ho, who joined the Auxiliary Police Force through the Auxiliary Police Undergraduates Scheme in 2009, observed "Once putting on uniform, the auxiliary is just like the regular, taking on the criminals and maintaining law and order. Therefore, everyone should be familiar with police regulations and ensure that the public have confidence in the police." 

 

After joining a "study group" led by senior officers in her division, PC(A) Ho made a good preparation for the promotion exam. For officers taking the exam, her advice is "Double check the questions and your answers. Don't make any careless mistakes." 

 

Being a computer programmer in her regular employment, PC(A) Ho gives her seniors and colleagues in her division a hand in computer and clerical jobs. This allowed her to get a better idea of more police jobs. In her regular employment, her colleagues have more communication with her because of their inquisitiveness of her part-time police work. When they asked for her views on the law, she took the opportunity to pass on knowledge of crime prevention to them.