The young man is none other than Station Sergeant Lui Kwai-hoi from Task Force Sub-unit of Central Division.

Prior to proceeding on pre-retirement leave, SSGT Lui was presented with the Hong Kong Police Medal for Meritorious Service by the Chief Executive at the 2005 Honours and Awards Presentation - a fitting recognition of his service to the community and the Force.

During an interview with OffBeat, SSGT Lui said he would be leaving what he calls "a place that has nurtured half of my life". He will greatly miss "a job that has brought me an immense sense of satisfaction, and the great friendship I've built up with my colleagues".

Reminiscing about his police work, SSGT Lui recounted many memorable cases. In particular, he spoke of being picked to join a special team in Hong Kong Island Region in 1995 to stop illegal immigrants from waylaying hikers on the hillsides and breaking into houses.

He recalled: "On one occasion, we received reports that two suspected illegal immigrants, armed with knives, were victimising pedestrians along Caine Road, robbing a total of seven persons from the evening to the next morning.

"Being familiar with the hillside paths in the vicinity, we liaised with the division concerned to ascertain the suspects' getaway routes. Eventually we arrested the suspects."

The job of dealing with illegal immigrants also brought SSGT Lui and his teammates many "unforgettable moments". He quipped: "We spent many cold nights hiding in the bushes and not making any move or sound even when insects had crawled up our bodies. At the end of the operation, we had to spray insecticide on each other less the insects should be brought to our vehicle."

SSGT Lui has a fond memory of those difficult days, and speaks of them whenever he tries to crack a joke with his friends.

Job enthusiasm

Criminal investigation work has also brightened up SSGT Lui's police career. Though the work is hectic and demanding, he enjoys the excitement it brings.

The posting at Central Division marked the last stage of SSGT Lui's career. During the posting, he and his colleagues detected a number of criminal cases.

"Everybody worked very hard and showed a lot of determination and team work in their jobs. Among the cases resolved are burglaries in old tenement houses on Hong Kong Island. This is the best gift for my retirement!" he said.

SSGT Lui has a passion for work and enjoys the fun it brings. This explains why he only took half day off even when he tied the knot at a Marriage Registry. As soon as the ceremony was over, he was off to his police station. For such a hasty arrangement, he was thankful to his wife for her support and understanding.

"In this respect, my family never gives me any pressure!" he noted.

Besides his total commitment to work, SSGT Lui takes an active part in volunteer services. He is the Honorary Treasurer of the "Friends of Hope Education Fund", and has trekked many villages in remote areas on the Mainland. Having witnessed the plight of the poor villagers, he cannot help feeling how lucky he is and should treasure what he has got.

Summing up his work experience, SSGT Lui suggested that one should take an open mind for everything. "Once you consider what is right, you should stick to it and persist without regret and regard to success, failure and being taken advantage of," he noted.

For this philosophy, SSGT Lui has been nicknamed "a silly soldier". When asked if he is a silly fellow, he replied: "If everybody is as silly as I, the world might become a better place!"

In the past 30 odd years, SSGT Lui has made many friends within the Force with his sincerity for inter-personal relationship. This was borne out by the large number of colleagues who hosted a farewell dinner in his honour on November 11 last year and contributed $10,000 to the "Friends of Hope Education Fund" to finance schooling for orphans in Guangxi.

SSGT Lui Kwai-hoi will continue engaging in volunteer service on the Mainland after retirement

SSGT Lui (centre) at PTS in 1960's