Thirty-eight Police Constables (PC) scored "Distinction" in the Promotion to Sergeant Qualifying Examination 2014 and five of them have talked to OffBeat about why they took the exam and how they prepared for it. The officers are PC Lo Cheuk-ying from Patrol Sub-unit 3 Sheung Shui Division, PC Li Kit from District Crime Squad 1 Wong Tai Sin, PC Ng Kit-in from Miscellaneous Enquiries Sub-unit Tin Sum Division, PC Lam Wing-han from Patrol Sub-unit 5 Yau Ma Tei Division and PC Cho Hiu-long from Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Platoon 4 Hong Kong Island.

 

 

Besides the benefits of their careers, the five officers had another reason for sitting for the qualifying exam - getting more familiar with the law so as to provide qualified services for the public.

 

PC Li pointed out that in preparing for the exam, he made revision and updated himself on the amended laws. He did not rule out the possibility of attempting the exam again for seeking further self-enhancement. Said PC Cho, "Public expectations of the Force keep on rising. As police work is based on the law, I have become more familiar with Force guidelines and laws as a result of sitting for the exam." Both PC Lo and PC Ng agreed that they identified their deficiencies and updated their knowledge during revisions.

 

PC Lam sat for the qualifying exam for the first time in 1997. What made him sit for the exam again was the need to act as a mentor for young constables fresh from Police College. In station, he reminds officers to familiarise themselves with laws and, at home, he sets a role model of lifelong learning for his daughter.

 

 

The five officers do not owe their exam success to strokes of luck, except efforts and tenacity in studying the Police General Orders, Force Procedures Manual and Police Manual.  "We made revision before and after work or during lunch time. Naturally, there was less time for socializing," said PC Lo.  The officers practised time management for their studies when police manpower was subjected to a tremendous pressure during Operation SOLARPEAK last year.

 

The five officers also agreed that they gained experiences from their daily jobs, which are "thought provoking" for their studies.

 

PC Cho pointed out that PTU officers had a lot of interaction for their exam preparation and their supervisors were very forthcoming in lending a hand for their studies.

 

PC Li also pointed out that a "study group" was very useful for exam preparation, apart from livening the atmosphere of learning.

 

In office, the five officers benefited from the encouragement, support and advice of their supervisors and colleagues. At home, they could concentrate on exam preparation with their family's full support.

 

Wrapping up the OffBeat interview, the officers reminded potential exam candidates that taking the Mock Test is a vital part of preparation for those who have never attempted the test. Their major pieces of advice to the candidates are "set a goal and do your best", "get equipped and never stop learning" and "don't take exam as pressure and enjoy the process of preparation".