They were warmly welcomed by the Force and arrangements were made for them to visit various units, including Police Headquarters, Police Marine Base in Ma Liu Shui, Police Tactical Unit Headquarters, and Border District. Nineteen fomer PSIs visited the Hong Kong Police College and attended a passing-out parade on Oct 18, the last day of their six-day visit to the Force. Please refer to the article, "Public hold the Force in high regard" published on centrespread.

After the parade, former Deputy Commissioner Keith Lomas presented Baton of Honour winner 26-year-old Probationary Inspector Tong Kam-wai with historical information of the award in the Officers' Mess. PI Tong holds a Bachelor Degree of Engineering (Hons) in Civil and Structural Engineering from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The award was introduced 48 years ago when Probationary Sub-Inspector R A Porter was presented with the first Baton of Honour at a passing-out parade on October 15, 1960.

After the parade, Mr Lomas and a former PSI Mr Wilson Wu Shiu-cheuk told OffBeat that the Force had undergone numerous changes over the past 50 years, and that they both were proud of having been part of the Force.

Mr Lomas said a lot of things in his career with the Force were memorable. He could still remember he reported duty in Wan Chai right after his passing-out and was put on night shift that same evening.

Mr Wu further pointed out that the Force was expanding its establishment between 1957 and 1958, with all units desperately in need of manpower. Hence there was no passing-out ceremony for them, unlike today. He noted: "There was a little regret, but in view of the situation then, there was little choice."

Reminiscing about the past, Mr Wu said the Police Training School which had developed into the Hong Kong Police College was situated in "the wilderness with paddy fields here and there".

To him, the most memorable thing is his first posting in Tsuen Wan. In 1958, no public transport was available in the district after 8 pm, and all he could do was to cycle to the Police Marine Base in Castle Peak, took a police launch to the old airport in Kowloon City where he could change to other means of public transport. He added: "Of course, nowadays, the transport network in Hong Kong has been far more advanced."

Mr Wu also pointed out that in those days few PSIs were Chinese, unlike the situation today.

Mr Lomas retired in 1994 and is residing in Thame, Oxfordshire, England, whereas Mr Wu retired in 1989 from the post of Central District Commander and has taken up residence in New York.

The other PSIs who have attended the reunion are Lau To-yee, Mike Womersley, Ambrose Chan, Eric McCosh, Brian Haigh, Paul Dickenson, Tim O'Hare, Jerry Phillips, Ron Smith, Bill Newton, Gavin Cooper, Hugh Ollerenshaw, Geoff Roper, John Dunn, Rolly Dibbs, Roy Dixon, and Russ Mason. They live in Hong Kong, Indonesia, the UK, Australia, Cyprus, the US and Canada.

OffBeat takes the opportunity to wish these retired officers, who have contributed so much to the Force, a healthy and happy life.

Mr Keith Lomas, former Deputy Commissioner who retired in 1994, receives a Police College souvenir plaque from Probationary Inspector Tong Kam-wai

Happy reunion for former Police Sub-Inspectors after 50 years