ACP (Support) looks back on his career in the
Force
Retiring ACP Support Peter Hunt looks back on his career in the Force and smiles: "It has always been a challenge; always been worthwhile; and usually been great fun too... you cannot ask for better than that in a career, and it is much more than just a job."
Over his 32 years service Mr Hunt has worked in every police region except one, and many PHQ posts. From being a Duty Officer in 1979, facing Vietnamese disturbances in the 1980s and '90s, running districts and regions, to having to tackle difficult questions in LegCo, "it is the huge variety of police duties, and having to handle new and developing situations all the time, that puts you to the test," he says. "Police work is not easy, it is hard. That is why we need the best people, and that is why we have to give them the best leadership, the best equipment, and the best training that we can, so that they can do their job, and serve the people of Hong Kong, to the best of their abilities. And don't forget, police work can be hard on our own officers and their families too, with long hours, sometimes unpleasant duties, and often unwarranted criticism from others bearing down on them, so we must respect our men and women, and ensure that their welfare is a prime concern."
When asked what makes a good police officer, Mr Hunt points to a complex variety of characteristics: "Sometimes you need to be like a caring mother, sometimes you need to be like a stern father, because you have to look after members of the public and our own officers who need help and support, and also have to deal firmly with anyone who gets out of line, and sometimes do unpopular things that need to be done. Likewise you have to be a firm friend to those who deserve it, and at the same time be an implacable enemy to the criminal and the corrupt. It is not easy... but if it was easy anybody could do it. Instead it takes some of the finest police officers in the world, those in the Hong Kong Police, to do it. I have often been very proud to see the work that the Force does, and I think that the people of Hong Kong should also be proud of the Force, and count themselves very lucky that they are served by it."
Asked if he has any regrets on leaving the Force Mr Hunt smiles once more. "Well just one," he says, "I wish the Force would recruit 55-year-old Probationary Inspectors, because then I could do it all again."
Mr
Hunt
"discusses
policy" with another "ACP"
Mr
Hunt
started
a Spring Walk along the Lam Tsuen River in February 2010
when he commanded New Territories North Region