PSG study: Senior Clinical Psychologist Eddie Li and intern Mira Ingemann

Mira Ingemann worked with the Force for six weeks from June 1, under Senior Police Clinical Psychologist Eddie Li Kam-wah. She kept busy running between the Psychological Services Group's Hong Kong and Kowloon offices, and spending time with the Child Protection Policy Unit and Police Training School psychologists.

The 28-year-old has been a counsellor at Bermuda College for four years while studying part-time for a masters degree in forensic psychology through a University of Leicester distance learning course. She hopes to get her Masters by July next year.

"I am here for some practical experience in working in a law-enforcement environment. I expressed an interest in police psychology so it was recommended I come to Hong Kong as this was the best place to get a good idea of what psychologists deal with in a law-enforcement setting. I am volunteering to do it for the experience, so it's actually a study-vacation!" she said.

"I have been very impressed with the organisation and services provided by the PSG and the Force as a whole, visiting a host of officers, stations and welfare offices. The amount of support given to officers here reflects a mindset of taking care of your staff to ensure an effective job is done, which is great."

She even conducted some joint-counselling of officers with PSG staff during her stay.

At home on the side, she provides training to Bermuda Police Service staff in dealing with domestic violence cases and other areas. She's also worked with children and adolescents.

"I'm still getting a feel for what aspects of psychology I enjoy most. But working with law enforcement is good, especially as I come from a police family, with my father and uncle in the Bermuda Police Service.

"In police work there are several areas in which to provide psychological guidance, sometimes in investigations or sometimes in welfare. Critical incident stress debriefing is another area I've been working part time as a volunteer. But my long-term goal is to be in private practice or consulting for police agencies.

"Some issues faced and stresses encountered here are fairly similar to where I come from. I think it's pretty much the same around the world. However, how one reacts to and copes with stress, can make all the difference."



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