They fought the good fight!
Hong Kong Island (HKI) Police Tactical Unit (PTU) Zulu Company 2 platoon (Zulu 2) officers took an active part in the fight against SARS. At a recently held presentation ceremony, 19 officers were presented with the Secretary for the Civil Service's Certificate of Appreciation for their valuable contribution in combating SARS.
Their part in the fight against SARS started when, in the early morning hours of March 31, the Department of Health imposed an isolation order on the residents of Amoy Gardens Block E, with policing support from PTU Zulu 2 (the Commissioner's Reserve duty platoon).
Zulu Company Commander, Mr Kevin Li Chiu-yin, described how Zulu 2 officers displayed 'bravery, tenacity and dedication to duty of a high order' while working hand-in-hand with officers from other government agencies and the local residents themselves.
Especially deserving of mention were Zulu 2 officers, Sergeant Mr Ng Wai-kwong, Police Constable (PC) Mr Hui Hung-king and PC Mr Chong Yuk-lun who had accompanied DH medical staff visiting individual E Block residences to notify occupants of the quarantine order and check for further victims.
Recalling the events of that day, Mr Hui said: "Early that morning we went to Ngau Tau Kok Police Station to collect face-masks and protective clothing before going on to Amoy Gardens where we joined other police officers, medical staff, reporters and security guards.
"The knowledge that so many people had already succumbed to SARS created considerable psychological stress for us all. At Amoy Gardens there was an all-pervading atmosphere of gloom and misery. Nevertheless, we all summoned up the courage necessary to stand in the frontline with other government department staff in a determined effort to combat the dsisease."
Brick leader Mr Ng recalled that: "After Block E had been sealed off, we entered the building wearing a full set of airtight protective gowns and protective headgear and started visiting all residents of the 34-storey building. This was a real test of our physical strength and patience over a prolonged period."
"It became clear that our main role was to escort medical staff and deal with any residents who became agitated or uncooperative," said his colleague, Mr Chong. "I think I can say that we were successful. We managed to calm some of them down and persuade them to co-operate."
"Although Zulu 2 colleagues made several calls offering to relieve us," Mr Ng concluded, "I decided, for safety's sake, that my brick would voluntarily carry on working so as to minimise the risk of more of my colleagues getting infected and to avoid any slow-down in our rate of progress on the checks. Our deployment on the home visits lasted for about three hours we handed over to another unit - by which time we had visited the majority of homes in the building."
Later, Zulu 2 officers had manned the outer cordon around the isolation camp into which the residents had been decanted to ensure that no one left without proper authorisation.
Hong Kong Island Police Tactical Unit Zulu Company officers display their Certificates of Appreciation