Tucked away in a corner of Eastern District is Chai Wan Division, which, since absorbing the former Shau Kei Wan Division in 2001, has become the largest division in Hong Kong Island Region in terms of both area - more than 16 sq km - and population - more than 485,000. The division includes Chai Wan itself, Shau Kei Wan, Sai Wan Ho and Tai Koo Shing, a crematorium and a columbarium, as well as the Shek O and Tai Tam Country Parks.

Mr Medwecki told OffBeat that: "One of the most taxing tasks facing my officers is being called to the scene of suicides and unexplained sudden deaths. We are sometimes able to prevent a suicide, but all too often we arrive too late. That can be demoralising, but my officers are very supportive of one another and of the trauma-struck relatives of the deceased.

"I am proud of them all. My greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that most members of the community do appreciate their efforts in combating crime, resolving public and domestic disputes, and serving the community both in their official capacities and as volunteers working independently or with NGOs," said Mr Medwecki.

Letters of Appreciation

OffBeat was shown 23 examples of 'Letters of Appreciation from the Public'. Some were from individuals, others from neighbourhood organisations, schools, etc. They range from a Kornhill resident who was being driven crazy by late night and holiday renovation of adjacent flats to Eastern District Council members and Siu Sai Wan Mutual Aid Committee accolades for six officers involved in arresting a gang of armed serial burglars.

One particularly interesting letter was from a young person arrested at a Kornhill supermarket for shop theft. He expressed shame and contrition for the offence and went on to commend officers handling his case. The letter said that "all the officers treated me kindly, one even lent me a warm cardigan, while they were working overtime to complete reports, take my fingerprints and my photograph. I became ashamed of what I had done. Detective Senior Inspector Mr Chow Wing-tat was especially helpful. He listened sympathetically to my grievances but then he helped me to analyse my actions, accept my wrongdoing and showed me how I could atone.

"Their kind professionalism really impressed me. Your officers have saved me from a life of delinquency. I am sorry for the trouble I have given you," the letter ended.

In another plea for help, an elderly woman reported that while she was travelling by bus she got separated from her husband. Her husband was suffering from easy-confusion and memory loss and she feared he would not find his way home. She wrote a sincere thank you letter to the Division. Station Sergeant Mr Tam Ching-sik was thanked for his constant warmth and re-assurance and an inspector who drove her to all the places she thought her husband could be. He was finally found as far away as Yuen Long.

Five security guards employed at the Summit Industrial Building Management Office wrote to praise officers who had visited them to show them the sort of places that burglars would use to deposit their tools of trade and even hide up pending an opportunity to go to work. At 5pm on that very same day, they discovered burglary tools hidden under a stack of wooden boards. The letter said: "The two Police Constables taught us how to check every dead-end and blind spot in our building. We found a set of burglary tools saving our tenants from a possible disaster. We security guards would like to say a big thank you."

Serve with Pride and Care

Mr Medwecki concluded the interview by saying that: "All of the officers posing for our photograph are conscious that they were simply the frontline officers involved and without the back-up of colleagues who never meet with the public they would not have had the training, motivation, and support to prove that the Force really does Serve with Pride and Care."

Chai Wan Division officers praised