SPC Wong Kwong-loi with his Long Service Travel Award for exemplary service

SPC WONG KWONG-LOI is one of 442 health impaired officers in the Force. Like most of them, his slight disability - partial loss of sight in one eye - prevents him from performing certain police duties. It has not stopped him, however, from providing exemplary service to both the Force and the public. ¡@"In fact," said SP CS1 Lau Fu-sang, "Many officers' enthusiasm towards police work is not affected by their impaired health, which occurs in varying degrees. Many of them volunteer to return to actively discharge their duties. Despite their health impairment, these officers are able to continue to contribute their efforts winning the respect of all colleagues."

¡@SPC Wong joined the Force in 1966: "During the riots of 1967, I was working as a patrolling officer in Tsuen Wan when my colleagues and I received a report of bomb in a hill in Tai Wo Hau. When we rushed to the scene the bomb suddenly exploded about twenty feet in front of me. I woke up in the hospital to find that my left eye was seriously injured and its sight severely affected." ¡@Devoted to policing work, the accident in no way diminished SPC Wong's determination to stay in the Force. ¡@"Police work is my life-long career," says the Senior Police Constable, who describes himself as always looking forward - never dwelling on the past. "I try to ignore my damaged eye and perform my day-to-day duties as any other policeman would. ¡@"I seldom mention my slight disability and few friends or neighbours are even aware that I have any problem. In fact, I can watch television without straining my eyesight, and I always play Mahjong with my friends - and win." ¡@After the accident, Mr Wong was transferred to an indoor post, and over his 30-year career the SPC who stays in top form by playing football and hiking, has worked in several formations where his duties included the delivery of legal documents and exhibits, door-guard of the HKCCC, and a demonstrator at the Police Training School. ¡@"Some duties have been very interesting - especially my role at the PTS where I illustrated the correct procedure for searching suspects on the street. During my time at the Hong Kong Command and Control Centre I made a lot of new friends." ¡@In 1989, SPC Wong was transferred to the Western Magistracy where his duties include searching and escorting defendants, as well as maintaining order in the courts. ¡@Says SIP Chau Chuen-kung, OC of the Western Magistracy: "SPC Wong's performance in the court is excellent. He seems tireless, is totally dedicated to his work and has infinite patience - especially when escorting defendants and prisoners, who tend to be very difficult to deal with, to the Plea Court. Everybody who works with him can feel his pride and respect to his duty." ¡@Recently Wong Kwong-loi received the Long Service Travel Award due to his exemplary service to the Force over the past three decades. Under the scheme he is eligible for a maximum holiday travel allowance of about $30,000. ¡@"This was an honour and very encouraging. As of yet, I have not decided where to travel. That,"SPC Wong smiles, "will depend on my wife's health."

Protection Selection The VIP Protection Unit is preparing for its annual selection exercise. Pre-selection will be in October, with the final selection scheduled for November. ¡@The Unit is looking for high calibre officers who are physically fit, enthusiastic, self-reliant and capable of displaying a high degree of initiative. ¡@Protective security work is both interesting and challenging. The Unit offers the opportunity for specialist firearms, tactical and medical training. Officers of all ranks also have the opportunity to train overseas with other specialist protection units. ¡@A Headquarter Order detailing the application procedure will be circulated in August. However, officers wishing to find out more about the Unit and the selection process can contact the Unit directly. Phone WCIP Lee Wai-sum: 2860-2585. ¡@Basic requirements: Candidates should be under 35 years of age and have a good record of service; should have completed a PTU Company attachment; should be able to swim; have good eyesight without spectacles or contact lenses; and have no disciplinary convictions. ¡@Inspectorate Officers should have three or more years of service and have passed all Standard II Examinations; while Junior Police Officers should have three or more years of service.