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Flood relief DEAR SIR, The torrential rains on 24 May flooded vast areas of the northern part of the New Territories seriously affecting Ta Kwu Ling, Hung Leng, Kwan Tei, Tin Ping Shan Chuen, Shek Wu Sun Chuen and Wah Shan Chuen. A bad situation was made even worse by flood discharge from Shenzhen. Together with officers from the Fire Services Department, the Civil Aid Services and the Government Flying Services, Hong Kong Police officers risked their lives to rescue villagers Tang Kwok-yung Chairman of the Provisional North District Board

Impressed DEAR SIR, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the NTS police officers and everyone else involved in organising the recent party for members of the Lek Yuen Sheltered Workshop. I really appreciate the fact that as busy as the police are, you would use your spare time to bring so much joy to people in need of happiness. I sincerely hope that the idea of voluntary service continues to spread throughout the Force in ways such as this in order to continue to demolish any barriers that may exist between citizens and police. Once again, you guys absolutely deserve billions. I respectfully salute you all. Janice Kwan OFFBEAT reader

Garley Building trial The following letter was sent to Regional Commander Kowloon West J H Walker . . . DEAR SIR, Following the tragic fire at the Garley Building in 1996, the Labour Department initiated prosecution against the concerned lift contractors for failure to ensure the safety and health of their employees. The defendants were convicted and fined in South Kowloon Magistracy on 4 May 98. During the long and complex preparation of the case, Senior Detective Inspector Mak Pui-yuen and his RCU 4A team offered invaluable support and assistance to this Department and counsels of the Department of Justice. Mr Mak provided the prosecution team with useful material including statements, photographs, video tapes, documentary and physical exhibits taken by the Police. Mr Mak and his team also assisted us in providing the Garley Building model, duplicating video tapes and serving witness summonses. Without their assistance I am sure the prosecution's case would have been much more difficult, if at all successful. Once again, I wish to thank the Hong Kong Police Force for their assistance in this case. Best regards Mak Hung-kae for Commissioner for Labour

Wanted: Police pen pals DEAR SIR, I am a 32-year-old German police officer and seek Hong Kong Police officers for pen-friendship. I joined the German Police Force in 1986 serving in West Berlin until 1994, before serving in the Hanover Force for a year. I am presently an officer with the Cologne Police - a member of the "Technische Einsatz Einheit" (TEE), which means "Technical Action Unit". The unit consists of 60 officers (both male and female) in three groups: radio operators, police drivers, and anti-riot water cannon tank operators - of which I am a member and tank commander. My grade is "Polizeiobermeister" (POM) - a medium crew grade. The Cologne Police have two water cannon tank squadrons and we do normal police work, as well as anti-riot control during football games, demonstrations and major incidents. In my free time I listen to music (Beatles, Genesis, Bryan Adams, Celine Dion and hits from the 1980s). I like to collect police patches, drive my car, and travel. Last year my girlfriend and I visited Hong Kong. It was great! The skyline was breathtaking and the people were wonderful. I would now like to find a police officer for a pen friendship. We are considering visiting Hong Kong again, and would welcome Hong Kong Police who come to visit Cologne. I hope to hear from Hong Kong very soon! Yours sincerely Ulf Engeln

OBITUARY Dr Frederick Ong Yong-koon, OBE RETIRED Hong Kong Police Forensic Pathologist, Doctor Frederick Ong Yong-Koon, who passed away in the Queen Mary Hospital on 13 June 98 due to illness, is deeply missed by family, colleagues and the many friends he made during a distinguished career that spanned three decades and whose wealth of experience led to the solution of many murders which might otherwise have never been detected. Forensic pathologists provide the vital medical skills needed to detect the cause of death in cases in which foul play is suspected, and it was to this important area of scientific and medical police work that Dr Ong devoted his professional life. Since beginning his work in the field of pathology in 1959, Dr Ong conducted no fewer than 30,000 autopsies and has worked with detectives on some of Hong Kong's most baffling, complicated and difficult homicides. In one of his most celebrated cases, Dr Ong's discovery of a tiny fracture on the base of the skull during the autopsy of a body found amid the debris of a hill fire above Tuen Mun, led pathologists to suggest to Hong Kong Police that the deceased woman may have been murdered. Investigations revealed that Dr Ong was right and a killer was found and sentenced to prison as a result. Born in Singapore, Freddie Ong worked there as a hospital doctor and qualified in legal medicine at Hong Kong University. Dr Ong went to the UK in 1962 and obtained a diploma in medical jurisprudence later becoming a member of the London Society of Apothocaries and was awarded a diploma in criminology at Cambridge University. Back in Hong Kong he was promoted senior Force pathologist in 1967, and consultant in charge of the Forensic Pathology Service in 1972. Dr Freddie Ong became head of the 11-member unit of the Forensic Pathology Laboratory at Hong Kong Police Headquarters in 1973, where under his leadership the lab evolved into one the premier facilities of its kind in the world. The expertise of Dr Ong and his staff of the forensic pathology laboratory has been recognised by colleagues overseas and by courts in other countries. In 1979 Dr Ong was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services rendered in medical legal work in Hong Kong, for organising an exemplary team of Force pathologists and for maintaining the service. Apart from his professionalism and ability in the field of forensic pathology, Dr Freddie Ong (who retired in 1988) will be remembered throughout the Force for his unfailing good humour and respect for the many unfortunate victims with whom it was his job to deal.

Promoted Enjoying a chat with the boss after receiving their promotion letters are (left to right): CSP Tang Kam-moon, SSP Chan Kit-chu, CSP Leung Lau-on, CP, CSP Tam Kwok-wing, and SSP Lam Wah-chiu The following officers received letters of promotion from Commissioner of Police Hui Ki-on on 3 July: Tang Kam-moon (Xavier), Tam Kwok-wing (Chris), and Leung Lau-on (Lawrence) are promoted to Chief Superintendent. Chan Kit-chu (Anthony), and Ng Ka-sing (David) are promoted to Senior Superintendent. Lam Wah-chiu (Eddie), also received his letter of promotion to Senior Superintendent (dated 31 May). Congratulations all!