APART from his duty as the SSPA Admin in Kowloon West, solicitor Lawrence Lam was until recently Honorary Aide-de-camp to former Governor Chris Patten and is presently Honorary Aide-de-camp to HKSAR Chief Executive, Tung Chee-wah.

¡@As a member of the Central and Western District Fight Crime Committee, solicitor Lam's childhood ambition to serve the community as a police officer was realised in 1986 after he was invited to inspect a passing out parade of Auxiliary Police.

¡@"It was really amazing. I'll never forget that day - which also happened to be my birthday. The auxies were very impressive in their uniforms and precision parading. They made me realise that even busy professionals could play a part in the police force and make a real contribution and commitment to the community," recalls SSPA Lam, who joined the Auxiliary Police Force as an auxy police constable a few months later.

¡@In 1987 he was promoted to auxy inspector - and appointed Honorary Aide-de-camp in December 1992.

¡@"There are more than 16 Honorary Aide-de-camps, each representing one of the government's disciplined services," explains Mr Lam. "In the past our principal duty was to maintain order during the presentation of insignias and awards, and to represent the Hong Kong Governor in matters of protocol. We now serve the Chief Executive. Our main duties are protocol-related such as receiving foreign heads of state, usually at the airport. From there we will escort them to their hotel or wherever they are staying.Ó

¡@Memorable dignitaries Mr Lam has had the pleasure of sharing a few words with have included the late Princess Diana, Margaret Thatcher and the President of Portugal: "I was particularly happy to get the opportunity to meet Mrs Thatcher because I am a fan of hers. I witnessed her contribution to the UK's economy when I studied law there in the 70's. She is a tough lady and has great interest in and knowledge of Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Princess Diana was really graceful and always had a smile on her face.Ó

¡@Apart from his service with the Auxiliary Police, SSPA Lam participates in a variety of governmental and community service organisations including the AIDS Committee, the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Board, and the Hong Kong War Memorial Pensions Appeal Board. He is also on the committee of the ICAC, an executive council member of the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong, and on the Standing Commission for the Remuneration of Legislative Council Members.

¡@SSPA Lam said that although he is a lawyer, his experience with the Auxiliary Police Force has been an education unto itself: "My duty with the auxies has been on the frontline of policing. I have therefore learned a lot through my part-time service, practical police work and training courses. Being a solicitor as opposed to a barrister, and hence not a practitioner of criminal law, leaves little chance for conflict of interest as I am not likely to ever represent nor prosecute somebody that I may have arrested.Ó

¡@From his observations, Mr Lam describes members of the Auxiliary Police as completely devoted to their service. "We sacrifice our spare time, nights and public holidays because we want to. When I first started service with the auxies, members of my family were initially opposed to it because it meant spending less time with them. However, they now know the degree of importance I place on my service with the Auxiliary Police and understand that auxies make a genuine contribution to the Hong Kong community."