IPA HK Section stages successful Friendship Week
Founded in 1950, the International Police Association (IPA) is the world's largest social organisation for police officers, with more than 300 000 members across the world. The Hong Kong Section of the IPA was set up in 1960. Driven by the motto of "Service Through Friendship", the IPA Hong Kong Section organises regular social activities for its own members and plays host to overseas members visiting Hong Kong.
To commemorate its 50th anniversary, the Hong Kong Section organised a Friendship Week from October 31 to November 7. Playing host to more than 80 IPA members from 12 countries, Hong Kong Section members showed their guests around Hong Kong and various police units, promoting not only Hong Kong as a metropolis but also international friendship among police officers worldwide.
The Friendship Week opened in the Auditorium at Police Headquarters on November 1 when Commissioner Tang King-shing, as the officiating guest, joined Hong Kong Section President, Superintendent Ho Ying-foo in welcoming police officers from around the world.
The Police Silver Band enlivened the opening ceremony, which concluded with an impressive sight when the participants, resplendent in the police uniforms of their own countries, posed for group photos.
The Friendship Week was full of interesting activities to ensure the guests had both an enjoyable and unforgettable stay in Hong Kong. Accompanied by Hong Kong Section members, the guests visited different tourist attractions, including Murray House in Stanley, Giant Buddha on Lantau Island, Golden Bauhinia Square in Wan Chai and the Peak, and savoured famous local cuisine, seafood of Lamma Island and Sham Tseng roasted goose. They also visited various police units, including Police College and Hong Kong Island Regional Command and Control Centre, gaining a better idea of the work of the Force.
A farewell banquet was held on the Peak as the Friendship Week drew to a close. While admiring Hong Kong as a culinary capital of Asia and for its spectacular harbour views at night, the participants also expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Hong Kong Section for laying on an interesting programme. The event was brought to a perfect finale with "Auld Lang Syne" and good wishes.
After the Friendship Week, participants from far and wide wrote to the Hong Kong Section, again thanking its members for their hospitality and complimenting the Hong Kong Police for their professionalism. The success of the event has promoted friendship among police officers worldwide and projected favourably the image of the Force.
The Hong Kong Section organises regular social activities for its members, including Christmas parties, spring receptions, exchanges with members of the IPA Macau Section. Those looking for souvenirs can also visit the Section and find a variety of attractive items to choose from.
The Hong Kong Section recommends younger members with a vision of the IPA for the Arthur Troop Scholarship, which is awarded annually. In May this year, the candidate selected by the Permanent Executive Bureau of the IPA will receive a bursary from the Arthur Troop Scholarship Fund for a one-week seminar in Germany.
As agreed by all IPA sections, Hong Kong members travelling overseas will enjoy the hospitality of members of overseas sections. Accommodation will be arranged for Hong Kong members at special rates. Alternatively, they may choose to stay with the families of overseas members, who will look after their itineraries.
Officers at all ranks, both serving and retired, as well as civilian staff, are welcome to join the Hong Kong Section. For more information, surf its website on www.ipa-hksar.com.
Commissioner
Tang
King-shing
with
Founder
of
IPA
Hong Kong, Mr Lee Fuk-kee (left)
and Chairman of IPA Hong Kong, Superintendent Ho Ying-foo
