OffBeat recently spoke to Woman Police Constable Lau Yuk-kiu, Station Sergeant So Kwan-yiu, Sergeant Ma Shu-man and Police Constables Wong Chi-chung and Chung Kwan-tung about their experiences regarding the pursuit of knowledge which may provide some insight.

These five active learners recently returned to Hong Kong after participating in the Mainland Public Security Bureau University's Study Programme from October 21 to 29.

Describing the trip as very productive, SGT Ma said that the study programme had boosted his confidence in speaking Putonghua and enhanced his knowledge of the PSB structure, administration and management.

"The information and knowledge learned on our study trip to the Mainland PSB will greatly enhance our ability to cooperate with our Mainland counterparts in tackling cross-boundary crime," SGT Ma said.

"Shanghai and Beijing officers' eagerness for acquiring advanced skills and their remarkable progress in different areas gave me the extra motivation required to pursue continuous development," PC Chung said.

Any advice from them to colleagues interested in the Force's overseas and Mainland study programmes?

"Different from sight-seeing trips, study trips focus on the exchange of information, therefore, Hong Kong participants should strive to improve their language abilities in order to better communicate with their overseas and Mainland counterparts," PC Wong said.

"Besides language ability, participants should be familiar with ongoing developments in the Force as they may be asked to give a briefing when visiting other places."

SSGT So also reminded officers enrolled in such programmes not to miss the pre-trip briefing sessions organised by Training Wing.

"The briefing sessions provided information on a number of issues including the structure of overseas/Mainland departments and cultural differences, which helped participants overcome culture shock."

Many people hesitate to pursue continuous study because of time constraints including daily work commitments.

WPC Lau, a Mainland university graduate who has studied a number of courses, including English, Japanese and computer techniques at various tertiary institutions since joining the Force, said: "With proper time-management, you can eventually work out your own study plan."

"Continuous learning has become an indispensable part of my life as I realised that police officers nowadays need to be well-rounded educationally because our work requires us to have a general knowledge of many subjects," she added.

SSGT So advised colleagues to try turning continuous learning into a family activity.

"If you can make continuous learning a common family interest, you will no longer find studying boring, and your family life will be enriched."

Want to know more about the learning opportunities available to Force members or other learning-related information? Come to the three-day Learning and Development Exhibition held at the Police Sports and Recreation Club from November 23-25.

Apart from various seminars, lectures, exhibition booths and experience-sharing sessions, a variety of quiz games and a "rock-climbing wall" will also be of interest on the day.

Officers who have attended five lectures, seminars or experience-sharing sessions will be awarded a certificate and given a souvenir by Training Wing. Relevant entries will be uploaded onto PICS. For registration, officers may contact their respective TSRO.