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The Shark's swansong
 Glittering gallery: CSP Lai looks back at more than 30 years in the Force |
The Lais are now three generations-strong in the Force, and September 14 will see the retirement of the Traffic Branch Headquarters Chief Superintendent after more than 30 years service.
Nicknamed the "Shark", the son of an officer was in the Auxiliaries for two years before becoming a Regular in 1966, spawning a career which has seen him serve a league of formations.
At 55, and with a glittering prize of Commanding Officer's Commendations and Medals under his belt, Mr Lai knows it's time to retire but is feeling the inevitable reluctance from his deep sense of family pride in the Force.
"I have very mixed feelings about retirement. Having worked for so many years I know it is now time, but in my heart I still want to be a policeman and always will be one," he told OffBeat.
 Eager recruit: The Shark in Auxie gear at the old Fanling training camp in 1966 |
His dad was the eminent Lai Kim-hung who retired from the Force as a Superintendent in 1971.
"I inherited the Shark name from him. My father was originally the one they all called the Shark because he was very tough on the discipline side, really fierce, the only guy I've ever been afraid of.
"So when I went to training school they all called me 'Little Shark' but nowadays people just say 'sha yu Lai', or Shark Lai!"
Although generally regarded as a traffic specialist, Mr Lai considers himself an "all-rounder", having served throughout the Force during his career.
One of his first ever duties was as a young motorcycle officer in the late 1960s who not only directed traffic and investigated accidents, but also served as an escort in then Governor Sir David Trench's motorcade.
But before that time on his old Triumph police bike, the Shark was put to the ultimate test, passing out of training and straight into the front line of the 1967 riots.
 The young Traffic officer inspects an accident scene near The Peak in 1968 |
"But about a quarter of my time in the Force has been in Traffic. When I got promoted to my present rank in 1997 I really wanted to be a District Commander as I knew it would be my last tour. I did not expect to come back to Traffic, but after a week of settling in I felt right at home again.
"Now, two-and-a-half years later, I feel really good to have been here because a lot has happened in the formation and to Hong Kong transport during that time. Accidents are now the lowest ever, there are far fewer fatalities, there was the big Chek Lap Kok move and the new drink driving legislation."
The Local Inspectors Association Chairman from 1980 to 1981 said although his time in Marine Region was perhaps his favourite tour, he also had a special fondness for his old motorcycling days.
"It was a very exciting time. About 1968 was my first tour in Traffic and it was also the year the Transport Department was established. I was a young Inspector in the Governor's escort and there were a lot of parades in those days.
"We used the big old Triumphs which were a good and powerful bike but certainly not as ridable as the motorcycles used these days. But back then there was not much traffic trouble anyway.
"Nowadays it is a completely different story - traffic and transport matters affect everyone in Hong Kong."
Despite his colourful career in uniform, the Shark will now have plenty of time to partake in his biggest passion outside the Force, basketball.
Acting as both the manager and coach of the Police Basketball Team over the years, he led the troupe when it was selected to represent Hong Kong in the late 1970s and early '80s, taking numerous championships.
Mr Lai is also looking to go to college and earn the tertiary education he missed out on as a youth, along with doing a little fishing, golf and community work.