The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force is one of the finest EOD units in the world, and that is in large part due to former commanding officer of EOD John Rolison's clarity of vision, and his ability to maintain the selected aim. His contribution to the Force's bomb disposal service is treasured by many as his colleagues and successors mourned his passing on October 26 this year. He will be remembered for taking a straightforward approach to defusing terrorist devices, his clear strategic mindset and an ability to bring the best out of those who served under him.

Born in 1941, Mr Rolison enlisted into the British army in 1957. As an Ammunition Technician of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) in the early days, he dealt with nearly 600 EOD incidents in Northern Ireland. His eye for detail and strong technical competence made him a good "depot man", but his real forte was in his rendering safe of improvised explosive devices.

Mr Rolison retired from the RAOC in 1981 and joined the EOD unit of the Royal Hong Kong Police (RHKP). He was shocked by what he found when he arrived. Only one operator served in the unit, and that man had been on continuous callouts for 470 days. The equipment was hand tools, hook and line, some locally produced disrupters and a very large quantity of explosives. In addition to performing bomb disposal duties, one of his earlier acts was to introduce a simple recording form for EOD incidents attended – he knew that the long-term battle for people and resources could only be won if workload statistics could be shown. He then started the task of building a modern EOD unit in Hong Kong.

Mr Rolison's approach had a clear strategic intent. The British Forces in Hong Kong maintained an EOD capability in support of the Police. Mr Rolison realised early that it was essential for the Police EOD unit to stand alone before the withdrawal of the British Forces in 1997.

Mr Rolison assumed command of EOD as a Senior Superintendent in 1988. By the time of his retirement in 1995, the EOD unit has developed into an experienced and first rank cadre, with 10 full-time operators and 30 trained additional operators for service during peak operational periods. All were equipped with modern robotics and equipment, with the unit established in purpose-built premises designed by Mr Rolison. This was achieved despite a series of serious EOD events, any one of which could have derailed the process. These ranged from terrorist attacks, to scores of large unexploded aircraft bombs being discovered by dredgers while building the new airport, to a long series of vicious grenade attacks against police officers on the streets of Hong Kong.

After retirement from the RHKP, he remained keenly interested in the progress of EOD in Hong Kong, acting as a mentor to subsequent commanding officers. His advice will be sadly missed; and his enthusiasm for new thinking showed that he was a leader with vision, without any of the small-minded envy or bitterness that can arise when others' ideas supersede one's own.

Mr Rolison remained stoic to the end, regarding his terminal illness as just something to be got through – like the long, lonely walk up to a terrorist device. Mr Rolison is survived by three sons from an earlier marriage – Matthew, Mark and David, and by his wife Leony and their daughter Joann.