The past three months have been the most difficult time for the Hong Kong Police Force since the handover of Hong Kong. Faced with insults of protesters, boycott by friends and cyber bullying, police officers have been under tremendous mental stress. Front-line officers have been working for long hours and have little family time. For Leah (a pseudonym), a policewoman in four months of pregnancy, Operation TIDERIDER has brought her both psychological pressure and emotional fluctuations.

Leah's husband is also a Force member and is one of the commanders of the Special Tactical Contingent, commonly known as the "Raptor Squad". Over the past weekends, her husband had been working on the front line, and Leah had to stay at home to look after their nine-month-old daughter.

Despite having pregnancy discomforts, Leah had to take care of herself. She dared not watch live news, fearing that it would cause mood swings and affect her fetus. She was very worried that her husband might get injured at work. She expressed her worries to her friends but they responded by insulting the Force. She was very upset.

Leah said, "During the Occupy Central Movement a few years ago, my friends could get through the period and we could meet and talk as usual without getting radical. But this time, some of my friends condemned police officers as 'Black Cops'. As a result, I have 'unfriended' a friend." Sometimes even a close friendship cannot last forever.

Having joined the Force for 13 years, Leah admitted that she has been under pressure in various ways during Operation TIDERIDER. Fortunately, she is able to keep going with the full support of the family. Leah said, "The families of mine and my husband have been very supportive. They understand the work of the Police. My mother-in-law has been particularly caring and calls me from time to time."

Home is always the best safe haven. Leah will continue to work hard to give the best support to front-line colleagues.