As a disciplinary force, we treasure morale and we know the miracles that high morale could work. Yet, what is morale? Why is it so important? Is it something that comes naturally? Or that it is something that we need to cultivate? Is it my boss's task, not mine?

Morale is essentially a state of mind. Morale boosts our ability to meet challenges and to conquer them, to persist in our jobs with confidence and determination. It motivates the individual, promotes team's spirit, and reflects the leadership of the team. High morale brings confidence and helps keep the team trying and enduring difficulties. End results? You can tell. Implicit in high morale is a motivated and cheerful workforce. It encourages cooperation, productivity and efficiency, reduces turnover (in other words, you keep your valued experience and knowledge within your team!) and finally raises chance of success and overall performance. Isn't this win-win situation admirable to all? Yet why can't we have high morale in every team?

Sometimes we simply forget that we uniquely owe a noble cause in our work. Whatever your post is, you contribute to an indispensable component to the Force's effort in keeping Hong Kong safe and orderly. There may be times of frustrations yet most of the time the tasks are attainable and you have achieved them great. Examining these successful experiences, the common thread seems to lie beyond material supply. It lies more in each one of team fitting his/her specific tasks into the cause and to feel pride and satisfaction in doing it well. So, whether you are a commander, a driver, a patrol officer, or a clerical assistant, I am sure you can find how your task fits into this cause of maintaining the safety of Hong Kong and be proud of being part of it.

These are fundamentals only. There are other essentials to high morale. Let's visit them one by one in the next issue.

Open Forum on
Promoting Harmony and Support
in the Police Families

Date : November 1 (Saturday)

Time : 2 pm - 6 pm

Venue : Table Tennis Room of PSRC

Target Participants : Police officers and their spouse / partner

(Priority is given to participants who join as a couple)

Speaker : Dr Ellen Kirschman (experienced clinical psychologist and consultant from the US)

Fee : Adult(12 or above) $20; Child (3 to12) $10

(includes workshop, tea buffet, souvenir and activities for children)

Enquiry and Registration : Please contact Ms Kan at 2735-5308; or fax the completed application form to PSG at 2735-7236 or by PEN (psg@police. gov.hk)

Seeking advice and help from the Psychological Services Group:

PHQ, Hong Kong Island and Marine: 2866-6206 (5/F, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay); Kowloon and the New Territories: 2735-3739 (22/F, Ocean Building, 80 Shanghai Street, Kowloon). PEN: psg@police. gov.hk