Female officers make breakthrough at ceremonial events
At the recent Passing-out and Farewell Parade at Police College and the Guard of Honour at Police Headquarters for outgoing Commissioner Tang King-shing, as well as the Opening of the Legal Year Parade, female recruits performed AR-15 rifle drill for the first time alongside their male counterparts.
In fact, since 1995, all newly recruited female police officers have been undergoing mandatory firearms training, and carrying a firearm whilst on duty. Moreover, with the passage of time, more and more female officers have been posted to some of the Force's elite units such as Very Important Persons Protection Unit and Police Tactical Unit.
The Foundation Training Centre recently took another major step forward by offering rifle drill training to female recruits. At previous ceremonial events, female officers usually only performed either foot drill or revolver drill. However at the above-mentioned ceremonial events, 30 female graduates carried rifles, marking a new chapter in the Force's 168-year history.
The female officers' display of precise and perfectly timed rifle drill has impressed the Judiciary and earned compliments by the public and the Force senior management alike.
Commenting on rifle drill training for female recruits, Head of the Foundation Training Centre, Dr Cheung Kam-chuen, commented: "In the 21st century, the Force is committed to ensuring there is no discrimination in training, roles and duties in terms of sexes and all officers should be offered opportunities to show their potential, be it rifle drill or any other types of training."
These
rifle-carrying
graduating
recruits make their debut at the Passing-out
and Farewell Parade for the outgoing Commissioner at Police College