Balances in Law Enforcement Series XI: Clasps of Excellence
Turning work into interest
How can you remain enthusiastic after working in the same division for more than 20 years and doing a very familiar job almost everyday? Sergeant Chan Wai-ming, who has been posted to Weapons Training Division for 24 years, however, confided: "I never get bored in my job."
Turning work into interest
Wai-ming began his career as a firearms instructor in 1987. Being the recipient of the Silver Whistle Award in Recruit Police Constable training as well as the Shooting Trophy twice in Police Tactical Unit training, Wai-ming's shooting talent is unquestionable. Logically he later became a "founding" firearms instructor of Weapons Training Division.
Two years later, Wai-ming was assigned to assist in running firearms instructor courses, becoming "trainer of instructors". He believed that to get his job done, he needed to brush up his knowledge and skills of using firearms. With this in mind, he attended various training courses in a bid to more relevant professional qualifications. "I flew to the United States for various courses and international conferences out of my own pocket," he noted. Since then, he developed a strong passion for, and acquired expertise in, firearms training.
Training exchanges on Mainland
Wai-ming had never expected he would become an instructor for public security officers on the Mainland. Since Weapons Training Division started exchanges in tactics training with the Mainland in 2003, he has been a member of the Force team taking part in the exchanges in 10 provinces in eight consecutive years. For Wai-ming, the exchanges were "a tough job". "We worked over 10 hours everyday, and tailor-made a training programme after considering the local standard, facilities and equipment," he recalled.
For communicating better with Mainland security officers at the training exchanges, Wai-ming took Putonghua courses to improve his proficiency in the language. His effort paid off when the officers noticed his great improvement in the language.
For Wai-ming, taking part in the tactics training exchanges was a great experience. "It is amazing that my students are now all over the Mainland!" he quipped.
A conscientious worker
Wai-ming enjoys his job. Even in routine training job, he found a lot of challenges. Over the years, there have been changes in training, for example introduction of new equipment and technology, interactive mode of training, and incorporation of elements of occupational safety and health into training. He sees successfully adapting to these changes a great satisfaction and challenge.
"To remain a qualified instructor, one has to keep abreast of times and get better equipped. An instructor also has to interact with trainees. The motto of my division is 'teach with sincerity and try our best'," he noted.
PSG epilogue
Wai-ming impressed one as a confident, cheerful, humorous and charismatic officer. The most compelling evidence is the thank you cards on the board notice in his office at Butler Range, presented to him and his team by CID trainees who had completed training courses on use of new revolvers. Wai-ming's passion for his job did not come from his rank or material gains, but from his own self-demanding and total commitment to duties, turning work into interest. No wonder he never gets bored in his job as a firearms instructor.
Wai-ming
conducting
a
training
course
for public security officers