Balances in Law Enforcement Column
Series II - Special Duties
ASU officers told to strain and sweat
For coping with work pressure, two members of the Airport Security Unit (ASU) are full of confidence, and attribute this ability to the demanding training they have received, as well as their on-going training to keep fit.
During an interview for this series, Station Sergeant Wan Chee-fai and Police Constable Chan Ho-ming pointed out that training is a key element of ASU work, and that all ASU officers have been trained to handle work pressure.
"As a result of the strenuous training that we've gone through, we've the ability to handle any work pressure," said SSGT Wan. He pointed out that adequate training could even alleviate work pressure and enhance officers' confidence.
PC Chan added: "I've also been trained how to react to and handle emergencies. So work pressure doesn't bother me!"
"I must say that staying alert at all times for any eventuality, and the heavy responsibility of protecting Hong Kong's international airport against untoward incidents do pose a psychological pressure to some extent," SSGT Wan noted. For this important job, ASU officers have to keep their physique in top form at all times.
PC Chan pointed out that ASU officers had been told "to strain and sweat in training, and shed less blood in actions". This explains why an ASU officer never stops sweating once he joins the elite squad.
After completing a 12-week intensive introductory training course, an ASU officer also has to take a full day's training every eight to nine days. On top of this, he has to spend an hour everyday doing various exercises to keep him at the peak of fitness.
Both officers take pride in their training. For them, the toil of training is a source of job satisfaction. "I thoroughly enjoy training because it's so fulfilling for me. Training keeps my body in top form and enables me to learn many new things," said PC Chan.
Despite the hardship of training, PC Chan has never thought of quitting ASU - not even when he suffered hand injuries during basic training. "With the help and encouragement of my fellow officers, I eventually got through all tests!" he added.
Although work pressure has not taken a heavy toll on them, both SSGT Wan and PC Chan have their own ways of relieving pressure that might come along. Besides leading a fuller life, SSGT Wan resorts to sports, while PC Chan finds serenity in classical music and "Gu Zheng", a traditional Chinese musical instrument. Both, of course, also try their best to spend more time with their families after work and on holidays.
"I like travelling overseas with my wife; this is the best way to relieve pressure, and to re-charge myself!" said SSGT Wan.
A long-time "Gu Zheng" player, PC Wong is a founding member of the Police Chinese Orchestra, taking an active role in its performances. His interest in "Gu Zheng" has even inspired his mother and siblings to take a great interest in other Chinese musical instruments.
"Music is a good family bond, and brings me closer to my mother, brother and sister," said PC Chan.
Comments by Psychological Services Group (PSG)
SSGT Wan and PC Chan are full of confidence and energy. It was believed that development of these positive psychological qualities was related to their rigorous and intensive training at ASU. Recent scientific research findings in the field of neuroscience have confirmed the traditional wisdom of "practice makes perfect". It was found that human brain retains plasticity. It can and does remodel itself throughout life. When we are learning some new skills or knowledge seriously, we pay special attention to it and practise it over and over again. At the same time, we are sending chemical messages to stimulate our cortex, and strengthening the connections between certain neurons populations. These biological changes would then enable us to respond to new inputs and support new skills. The more intensive and attentive our practice is, the more strengthened would be the connections between neurons, and more automatic our skills would become. This situation can be shown in the process of learning to drive an automobile. If we no longer utilise skills, the communication between neurons would be inhibited, and we would gradually lose the familiarity of the skills. This is similar to the situation of "holiday drivers". Besides physical practices, recent researches have also demonstrated the positive effect of mental practices (such as visualisation of oneself performing flawlessly in a competition) in achieving peak performance. It was found that mental practice could improve concentration, reaction time and self-confidence, which help enhance the overall performance in reality.
From the psychological point of view, when we practise to a point that our skills become automatic, we would have a sense of control over our performance. This would help in easing our performance anxiety and the associated stress. So, if you want to do well in a skill, the traditional wisdom teaches us that there is no shortcut but only diligence and persistence.
Seek advice and help from the PSG: 2866-6206 (5th floor, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay). PEN:psg@police.gov.hk
(All cases will be kept in strict confidence.)
Daily patrol is one of the tasks performed by SSGT Wan and PC Chan to protect Hong Kong's international airport