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 RC KE John Yuen, with his senior officers on the steps of the now former Kai Tak Police Station and compound (renamed the Kai Tak Operational Base), which will be occupied by PTU KE Coy, PDU, Comms KE workshop, part of Crime KE and VIP PU. The job of maintaining the Kai Tak Airport area a crime-free zone is now NTK Division's |
"I AM glad to be here today to share with you
this historic moment in Kowloon East. With the opening of Chek Lap Kok Airport, the Airport
District in Kai Tak, which has been an integral part of the Kowloon East Region, ceases its
operation having fulfilled its last important mission - to help in the smooth relocation of one
airport to the other," said Regional Commander Kowloon East, John Yuen, in a bittersweet
farewell gathering of APDIST officers and guests around the main gate of the police station
that served Kai Tak so well for so many years.
Up until the mid-70s Kai Tak Airport was policed by a sub-division within the Kowloon City Division, but due to the rapid growth of air flights, it was upgraded to a division in 1976 and a district in 1985. The number of officers including civilian and disciplined staff also increased from 156 in 1977 to 341 in 1998. |
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Said Mr Yuen: "Kowloon East will no longer take care of Hong Kong's airport - one of the important key points in Hong Kong. Regarding Kai Tak, with over 160,000 flights and 28 million passengers going through it each year, the overall situation in terms of crime rate and general security has been most satisfactory - thanks to the good work done by the whole staff of the district. | |
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"Their professionalism and devotion to duty in making Kai Tak one of the world's most efficient airports should not be forgotten. Not only were they responsible for its day-to-day policing, they were also involved in other special operations such as the 120 "Drumbeat Flights" which escorted Vietnamese Boat People repatriated to their home country. "In addition, the highest standards of security have been provided for VIPs including heads of state on numerous occasions." "My Airport Police District officers, I sincerely thank you for your contribution in Kai Tak, the envy of the world. I am sure you all will maintain the same high standard of performance in your new posts and I wish you all good luck and the best." Following the speech, a "symbolic main gate key" of the station and a SAR flag was handed over to the building's new landlord SP Crime KE, after which the participants enjoyed a dim sum party in the Officers' Mess - a hall now full of faded memories. |
 1962. A ground hostess with a passenger list |
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. . . Hello Chek Lap Kok | |
 1962. Three types of passenger aircraft on Kai Tak apron: piston, turbo-prop and pure jet
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CHEK Lap Kok Police Station is fully equipped
and prepared to deal with whatever the new millennium throws at it. And as of 6 July, the new
Police Airport District has been operating at CLK Airport as effectively and professionally as
at Kai Tak.
Speaking at the CLK Police Station, Chief Inspector (Operations) of CLK District, Li Cheuk-wai said: "Following the deployment of the final batch of 160 Uniformed Branch and Crime police officers, the manpower of CLK Police Station has reached its present strength of 397, comprising 335 officers and 62 civilian staff." To familiarise themselves with their new working environment the 160 officers underwent training that included seminars by personnel from other government departments (including the Immigration Department and Customs and Excise), as well as airline, cargo, utility and catering companies, and lectures on aviation security, ordinances and by-laws. "The officers were also briefed on contingency plans related to aircraft accidents and terrorist situations," Mr Li stressed. "To put theory into practice, the officers took part in a variety of exercises simulating aircraft accidents, fires and other incidents." Of the 160 officers, 50 were attached to Kai Tak Airport District, bringing with them airport working experience. Most of the remaining 90 officers worked at Kai Tak Airport District over the past nine months in order to gain useful experience. The CLK Police District was officially re-titled the Airport District on 6 July. The Airport Security Unit (ASU) which responds to aviation security related incidents is also fully deployed at the new district. "Patrol Sub-unit, Crime and Task Force officers will be covering the whole airport to prevent and combat crime and respond to any incidents. In addition, District Traffic Police officers, supplemented by a team of Traffic Wardens, will patrol on motorcycles to ensure smooth traffic flow in the district. In addition the report room of the CLK Police Station and the two report centres in the new airport's passenger terminal are providing services for and receiving reports from members of the public," CIP Li said. |
