Twenty-four members of Probationary Inspector (PI) Courses 148, 149 and 150 of the former Police Training School (PTS) celebrated their 40th year reunion in Hong Kong between January 21 and 26.

All course members have either left or retired from the Force. Many of them who live abroad came back to Hong Kong with their wives and children from California, England, Tokyo, New Zealand, Sydney, France, Singapore, Nepal and Penang.

The three PI courses are quite a unique bunch. Over 40 years the majority have stayed in contact with each other and they have by far the largest reunion. The course members included retired Commissioner Tsang Wai-hung, retired Deputy Commissioner Ma Wai-luk, retired Assistant Commissioners Wong Doon-yee and Mike Cartwright, and retired Chief Superintendents Jawaid Khan and Dave Gunton. Some others who left the Force turned to run large organisations and pursue new careers.

The Opening Dinner on January 21 was held at the Aberdeen Boat Club during which a DVD compiled by Yu Wai-hoo with old photographs and video clips of course members was shown. Many fond memories flooded back. Three absent colleagues sent in apology videos. The second presentation was made by Tse Kwok-chun who left the Force at Chief Inspector rank to become a doctor in Sydney. He outlined his career path, noting many similarities of being a police officer and a doctor!

The next activities of the reunion week were visits to the Maritime Museum at Central Pier and a new complex at the Police Married Quarters at Hollywood Road on January 23, followed by a Chinese lunch at a restaurant in the Police Headquarters and a visit to the souvenir shop.

On the following day, they went to Lamma Island by ferry, followed by a walk from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan, where they had a seafood lunch of banquet proportions. In the evening, they went to Shatin Racecourse to enjoy the exceptionally good food as well as horse racing.

On January 25, they toured the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau where they fortunately had a guide to explain the history of the building. After having a vegetarian lunch at a restaurant of the monastery, most participants took the cable car down to Tung Chung taking many memorable photographs.

The reunion week came to a close on January 26 with a black tie dinner at the Senior Officers Mess. The main dishes were Sea Bass and Rib Eye Steak. It was an unforgettable evening, further strengthening their bonds of friendship.