Got something to say? E-mail (offbeat@police.gcn.gov.hk), phone, fax or write a letter to Editor OFFBEAT and say it. We're here for you.
NOTE: OFFBEAT will not publish feedback sent anonymously. However, we will withhold names and addresses on request.

Police sports teams under threat DEAR SIR, The draft HQO on "Authorised Absence from Duty for Sports" which, if implemented as it stands, will sound the death knell of representative team sports in the Hong Kong Police. The introductory paragraph of the draft promotes a balance of absence for sport and the exigencies of the Force. Surely, this is the current situation as time off for sport may only be granted by a formation commander (up to the stipulated maximum per sport) if this is not to the detriment of an officer's duty commitments. The Hong Kong Police has a long tradition of positive interaction with the community in many sports that not only promotes a healthy lifestyle for officers, but also is an important link with the community in its many facets. Restrictions placed on these activities will only serve to alienate the Force and deliver a severe blow to morale. It is difficult to believe that a police force of this size with such close contacts with the people of Hong Kong plans such a negative policy on the basis of "Operational efficiency and the proper and effective use of human resources". Participation in sports representing the HKP should be a duty commitment and sufficient time allowed to participate fully. Proper and intelligent management of resources facilitates such participation. There is a long list of officers of all ranks who have represented Hong Kong in international competitions in a wide variety of sports. This fine tradition which reflects great credit on the Force would be impossible without the opportunity of playing competitive sport at Force level in local competitions and leagues. The draft HQO, by limiting authorised absence from duty to ten hours per month, will hit team sports particularly hard. The soccer, rugby, cricket, basketball, hockey and volleyball clubs, especially, will find it very difficult to continue - simply because these sports require regular team commitment and cannot be practised individually. The league system for these sports in Hong Kong is a seasonal one. This means weekly competitions during the season (most often during the winter months) for which the proposed ten hours allowance per month is completely inadequate. Furthermore, it is the officers performing shift duties who will suffer the most. They are the people most in need of relief from the stress of work and shifts and yet it is they who will be excluded from the Force sports scene. Those officers working the short week system will have less difficulty. However, why should anyone give up his/her own time to represent the HKP at sport when he/she may as well do so for a civilian club with better facilities? The strength of HKP teams stems from players being allowed sufficient time off work to practice and play. Deny them this benefit and many teams will cease to exist through lack of players. If this is the objective of the proposed new policy, surely it will be achieved. Clive J Howard Chairman Police Cricket Club REPLY . . . DEAR SIR, I refer to the letter from your reader regarding the draft HQO on "Authorised Absence from Duty for Sports". We are still in the consultation process and at this stage nothing has yet been finalised. I wish to thank him for his views and the points he raised will be seriously considered when the final draft is being compiled. Yours sincerely Mak Kwai-sing Superintendent Sports & Recreation Personnel Services Branch

OBITUARY Timothy Antony Fitzpatrick, CPM 1937 - 1998 TIM Fitzpatrick, former Senior Superintendent who retired from the Hong Kong Police in 1993, passed away on September 7, 1998, because of illness in England. He was 61. His funeral was held at The Oratory in Birmingham on 15 September, the chief mourners being his wife Belinda and their three sons who were supported by other family members, many ex-colleagues of the Hong Kong Police and friends. After the funeral service, cremation took place at Lodge Hill Crematorium in Birmingham. Mr Fitzpatrick studied English Literature and History at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and served in the Royal Air Force as a Senior Aircraftsman before joining the Hong Kong Police in 1958. He served in a variety of formations displaying an ever increasing ability to manage both everyday and delicate situations - in Marine, through Divisional Policing, both urban and rural, Criminal Investigation in the field, to Staff Duties in Personnel, Auxiliary Police and culminating prior to retirement as a Senior Superintendent on staff of Crime Wing, Police Headquarters. Throughout he was a highly respected officer being awarded the Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service (CPM), and the Colonial Police Long Service Medal (First and Second Clasps) for a long and unblemished career. "Tim's judgement and work performance were second to none," recalled good friend and retired Hong Kong Police officer Jack Trotman. "His penmanship and command of written and spoken English were superb and many a senior officer was fortunate to have a brief prepared by Tim for presentation at Government House and transmission on to London. He also had a magnificent flair for Cantonese. All these attributes, along with his wit, charm, personality and kindness and understanding of anyone who needed help were instrumental in his becoming well-known and extremely well-liked within the Force." Said Mr Trotman during his eulogy for his good friend: "The following epitaph written by Robbie Burns might well have been applied to the life of Timothy Fitzpatrick: "Knowing thou, O stranger to the fame Of this much lov'd, much honour'd name! (For none that knew him need to be told) A warmer heart death ne'er made cold'."