"Placing small bets once in a while is mere entertainment. no harm can be done." Right?

Not really. There are fallacies in this statement.

No matter how small or large the bets, gambling is always a source of stress: imagining how you will make use of the winnings if you are lucky enough to win; but depressed when you lose, your precious time and money gone.

Even if you are lucky enough to win, chances are it will lead to more gambling in the hope of geting more. Eventually, you will become a slave to gambling.

It is self-deception to think that small bets are some king of entertainment or a form of indirect donation to charities. so don't give yourself excuses to gamble.

Police work is demanding and difficult. It is much more beneficial to engage in activities that improve physical fitness and/or mental well-being, like picnicking or spending quality time with your family, than hurrying to the casinos in Macao or staying up all night playing mahjong.

Remember, heavy gambling originates from small bets. To prevent yourself from falling prey to habitual gambling, you should avoid gambling of any form and on any scale.

Should you have any comments on gambling, please call the Staff Relations Hotline on 2866-7519.

SINCE last December, the Internal Communications Section of the Staff Relations Group has been examining the feasibility of using the electronic mail service on the internet to disseminate useful information within the Force. They have appealed, through this Column, to police officers who are private users of the internet to provide their particulars for reference.

So far, the response has been good from interested officers. Since the study is still on-going, if you are an internet user but have not forwarded your information to us, please call the Staff Relations Hotline on 2866-7519 and leave your UI number and e-mail address. Your support is appreciated.

POLICE OFFICERS' CLUB Change Your POC Car Park Label Now!!! Please be aware that POC 1998 car park labels are now available for collection. Please ensure that you bring a copy of your registration document or alternatively fax the document through to POC on 2838-9665. When collecting your label if you submitted only the copy on application, please show the reception staff your original registration document. The 1997 car park labels will expire on 1 February. Vehicles found displaying old labels after that date will be charged at the guest rate of $20 per hour. To avoid problems change you car park label now. The price of the car park label remains unchanged at $30 per vehicle. GO SURFIN' IN THE BEAT CAFE Attention all internet surfers! The Beat Cafe now has its own internet terminal. There is no charge for usage, but members must purchase at least one beverage (coffee, soft drink, fruit juice, etc) in the cafe before they can log on. Time on line depends on demand, usually 30 minutes if others are waiting, which can be checked from the waiting list booklet next to the terminal. NEW F&B MANAGER FOR POC Raymond Fan Wai-lun is the new Food and Beverage manager at the POC, replacing Mandy Leung who has gone on to work with another restaurant group. Raymond comes from a strong Food and Beverage background. His experience includes key positions in catering at the New World Hotel, the Kowloon Cricket Club and the Hyatt Regency. He has been well reported on in the past and as the new POC F&B manager. Raymond is determined to work closely with the POC's general management to enhance the catering services and food quality for our members. He can be contacted on 2591-1924. VALENTINE's DAY AT POC A special Valentine's Day dinner menu is available for $320 per couple at the POC. For details of the romantic meal cal F&B manager Raymond Fan Wai-lun at: 2591-1924. Who To Contact at POC For all catering-related bookings please contact Raymond Fan Wai-lun on 2591-1924. Venue and facility enquiries may be directed to the POC Reception on 2591-1911, or2591-1930. Function Room bookings can be arranged by calling Kathy or Katherine on 2591-1912.

FROM 1 March 1998, the EIA will no longer be called the "Expatriate Inspectors' Association", but instead will be re-born as the OIA-the Overseas Inspectors' Association.
The change came about as a result of the Association's membership feeling that since the Government and the Force now refer to officers recruited outside Hong Kong as "Overseas Officers", the name of the Association should be changed accordingly.
The opportunity to mark the name-change is not being missed; the Association will hold a dinner and dance for-members at the Hong Kong Cricket Club on 3 April 1998.

Leave Homes

FORCE holiday bungalow accommodation is available from February 11 to March 9, 1998 for Gazetted and Inspectorate officers and their civilian counterparts as follows:

Interested colleagues should obtain a letter of introduction from the Personnel Services Branch Holiday Facilities Unit and contact the hotels directly for reservations.