CPC Series
Be a compassionate policeman

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An article by Station Sergeant, Mr Fong Kin-wah, attached to Complaints Against Police Office.

We are law-enforcement officers who, when maintaining law and order, may sometimes find ourselves on a thankless task. Some prosecuted people swear at us and even make unreasonable complaints against us, but we must still exercise restraint and firmness in dealing with the situation. Fortunately, in the arrest of criminals and the rescue of people in trouble, our painstaking efforts are recognised and appreciated by the general public. We naturally gain through pain.

Speaking about thankless tasks, our Traffic Wardens, whose main duties are summons action and traffic control, do experience greater pressure and hostility from the public. Sarcastic comments and even curses are not uncommon responses to Traffic Wardens' ticketing actions. What is worse, there are many unreasonable complaints against them. Obviously, a good relationship between Traffic Wardens and the public is very difficult to establish.

Once on Jaffe Road in Wan Chai, I saw praiseworthy action by a Traffic Warden. At that particular time and place, there was no problem with traffic flow. A goods van and a private car were parked illegally outside a cafe. As our Warden approached, two men hurried out of the cafe to their vehicles, obviously having hastily abandoned their breakfast. The Warden smiled and said to them, "Shouldn't park here . . . finish your breakfast back there before driving them away." I witnessed the thankfulness and amazement on the drivers' faces, and heard them say repeatedly, "Thank you . . . thank you . . ." And they hurried back to their breakfast.

I find the Warden's action very commendable. First, he gave a clear warning by saying it was not a proper parking space. He knew the traffic situation there and then, exercised his discretion and was compassionate enough to allow the drivers a little time. The Warden properly exercised his discretion, and recognised the need for a little compassion. These days when we all face the effects of the economic slowdown as well as the weight of public grievances, the incident brought a little pleasantness and warmth. The appropriate action of the Traffic Warden also contributed to the enhancement of Police-public relations.