OffBeat spoke with three determined Probationary Inspectors who, despite their varied backgrounds, are united in their efforts to become the best officers they can be

Not everyone knows immediately after high school what they want to do with their lives. Some try two or three different jobs or university degrees before they have any idea what career they want.

Take Probationary Inspectors Bo Lau Chui-ying, Carman Hung Oi-man and Patrick Yeung Ming-sum from squad 478 at the Police Training School. A former catering manager, stewardess and auditor respectively, each were overcoming their own personal hurdles to ensure they passed out of PTS in nine months.

They and the other eight members in their direct-entry batch received letters of appointment from Senior Superintendent Recruitment Geoff Merrick, April 4. The troop hailed from a diverse array of professional backgrounds yet shared a fiery passion to become a police officer. A passion no amount of exhaustive training could douse.

"It pretty much does not matter what your background is, where you come from, how old you are or what you did before, you can become a good officer as long as you have the right stuff," PI Lau said. "But it is no picnic. We are putting tremendous effort into our training as each of us is determined to pass out and be the best officer we can. We have a long, tough way to go. However, we need to prove to the Force and to ourselves that we have what it takes."

Like many people, PI Lau and Yeung, both in their 30s, took a little longer to realise their dream of joining their profession of choice.

PI Yeung said: "I wanted to become an officer a long time ago but there were different pressures preventing me from doing so, such as family matters. Some lucky people experience few obstacles in developing the career they want and can start early. In my case I could not, but I am here now and determined to make the best of it."

PI Yeung was so resolute on joining the Force he shed seven kilograms.

"Sitting in an office lacking exercise, I was quite fat before. However, I have undergone a huge change. I even lost another 4.5 kilograms after training started! At first I was quite shocked I had to go through all this to do what I wanted, but now I have a fresh body and a better outlook on things, and this is the direction I want to go in my career."

PI Hung said the opportunity to serve the public and the vast array of jobs and responsibilities officers undertook throughout their careers, attracted her to the Force.

"You have different issues and disciplines to deal with in each formation, which in turn provides you with a host of different skills and traits. So the Force provides the best avenues for self-improvement physically, mentally and socially, while also offering top career prospects," she said.

"All that is well worth training and working hard for as you will not get the same opportunity in another profession."

The batch vowed to continue the hard training to ensure they passed out on December 22, to provide the ultimate birthday present to their Course Instructor John Burns.

PI partners: Patrick Yeung, Bo Lau and Carman Hung at PTS

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