Balances in Law Enforcement Column
Series II - Special Duties
Police Band not immune to work pressure
Contrary to what some might think, members of the 75-strong Police Band are not immune to work pressure - there is a host of factors that bear on their physical and psychological states.
During an interview with representatives from Staff Relations Group and Psychological Services Group, Sergeant Pang Tim-sum, a trombone player, and Acting Sergeant Daniel Chuk Chi-kit, a piper, put the factors in perspective.
Besides the Force's own functions, the Police Band frequently performs at government and community functions, as well as government promotional functions held overseas. And since the Handover, it has made many public appearances in major cities on the Mainland.
To SGT Chuk, as many as 300,000 spectators lining the streets in Beijing to see the pipe band performing in a parade was an unforgettable sight.
Also unforgettable for SGT Pang were the band's numerous performances before dignitaries, and the warm receptions it received, in major cities in the UK during the 1980s.
In those performances, members of the Band realised their role was more than providing entertainment - they helped enhance the image of the Force, as well as that of Hong Kong as a vibrant world city.
Whenever they perform, be it in Hong Kong, overseas or on the Mainland, the Force musicians invariably do their best, but few realise the amount of efforts and preparation work they have put in, and the things they have to put up with.
SGT Pang pointed out that the Band had to go through as many as 108 rehearsals just one week before its participation in the 50th National Day celebrations.
"And playing in sweltering hot days in sweaty uniforms is by no means a pleasant job!" he said.
Back in June 2000, SGT Chuk was so worried about his upcoming accordion solo in a Tsimshatsui carnival that he was taken ill for a whole week. "I later learned that this was the effect of anxiety because representing the Force I was so eager to do my best in the solo. I think eventually I did well in the solo!" he recalled.
Since this incident, SGT Chuk is capable of adjusting his own self-demand and no longer experiences stage fright in similar situations.
High esprit de corps
SGT Chuk's career with the Police Band was plunged into uncertainty after he was badly injured in a traffic accident in 1998 - about four years after joining the band. He remained in comas in hospital for seven days, and after coming round he feared his career had come to an end.
However, with physical therapy, persistence, determination, and more importantly, support and encouragement by his colleagues, SGT Chuk came through quickly and was back to work after a two-month sick leave. His determination to return to the band eventually brought further improvement to his musical skills.
SGT Chuk pointed out that his miraculous recovery underlined the high sprite de corps within the Police Band. "The band is just like a big family with every member helping each other. During rehearsals, we share experience and new ideas, and discuss problems and the ways to sort them out. We've no communication gap in music!" he said.
"It's team work, co-operation and understanding that we're proud of!" SGT Pang added.
Multi-skills scheme
Just like their other fellow officers, members of the Police Band have endeavoured to keep abreast of times. It has implemented a "multi-skills" scheme that requires members to master more than one instrument.
The scheme has enabled members to develop their musical potentials - SGT Chuk now feels at home in base drum and cymbal, while SGT Pang has mastered "Pi Pa", a traditional Chinese instrument. If required, SGT Chuk is capable of rendering help to the silver band.
In 1998, SGT Pang teamed up with other members to form a Chinese Music Ensemble within the Police Band. Since then, the Ensemble has given renditions in many functions within or outside the Force.
Balances and wisdom
As it is the case with other police work, irregular working hours have taken a toll on the Force musicians' personal and social lives, but SGTs Pang and Chuk have different approaches to minimise the impact and to seek balances and wisdom in life.
Both are dedicated to families and would squeeze time for their loved ones. With a wife sharing a common interest, SGT Chuk relieves stress through appreciating and playing music. "Music is in my blood. Whenever I played, I was so absorbed in the melodies that everything was out of my mind!" he noted.
And SGT Pang resorts to the philosophies of Buddhism and an open outlook of life to cope with setbacks in life. He experienced serenity in life when practicing Buddhism's teachings, like letting go of "unnecessary insistence" and accepting setbacks as part of life.
He sees "a broadened horizon, an enlarged social circle, meeting people from all walks of life, and a fuller life" as the biggest reward music has brought for him.
Comments by Psychological Services Group (PSG)
You may have heard a piece of advice: "Don't turn your personal interest into occupation". Those who gave this advice believed that the sense of control and freedom of choice implicit in personal interests would vanish when they became your means of living. From the sharing with SGT Pang and Ag. SGT Chuk, we can see that the advice is not absolute. As they are members of the Police Band, music occupies a very important role in their lives, both at work or leisure, and their enthusiasm in music seems knowing no bounds. However, stress does arise even when one is doing something one enjoys. For instance, members of the Police Band have to deal with performance anxiety, maintain the highest standard possible in whatever weather and environment, and practise intensely within a tight schedule, etc. The key to their passion and energy is their wisdoms in striving for a psychological balance - (1) recognising the value of their work - to enhance the Force's image in public and community relations activities and feel proud of being part of the Band; (2) maintaining a high esprit de corps and enjoying the satisfaction arising from excellent inter-personal relationships; (3) elevating musical skills to avoid the boredom of stagnancy, and (4) maintaining life outside work, including family life or enlarging social circle through joining other music bands.
Apart from these, music has its magic on people. Music existed already in ancient world and has been developing along with human civilisation. It is also inseparable from human life. Recent psychological researches have established the positive effects of music on human emotion and cognitive abilities.
Starting from next issue, the PSG in its column "PsyNet" would talk more about the relationship between music and emotion, as well as the use of music therapy in improving mood and mental well being.
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.)
SGT Chuk masters more than one instrument