A photo on the Internet showing an officer keeping law and order during this year 's July 1 procession in heavy rain captured the attention of thousands of Netizens.

On that day, Sergeant (SGT) Chan Siu-wah, together with another Sergeant and six police constables, from Police Tactical Unit, were carrying out crowd management and public safety duties in the area near Tonnochy Road and Hennessy Road in Wan Chai. "Our job that day was to maintain the order of the procession so that the public would use the agreed route and roads would not be blocked," he said.

SGT Chan has never expected to be snap shot for the online social media. "I'm grateful to the guy for taking a snap shot of me with such a beautiful angle," he quipped. 

In the first place, SGT Chan was apprehensive of negative comments, but, to his relief, found positive feedback pouring in. He sees this as "a shot in the arm" for the Force. 

As a matter of fact, SGT Chan did come across some provocations that day, especially when the procession was getting slow. Some people vented their anger, and hurled abusive languages, on him. Asked how he managed this situation, SGT Chan said officers, while keeping law and order, should take into consideration the reasons for this sort of agitation. Therefore, he exercised great restraint and politely asked the people to remain orderly. Much to his relief, most of the people were sensible and law abiding.

With over ten years' experience of policing public order events, SGT Chan pointed out that the nature of the July 1 procession was more complex because of the different demands by different walks of life and organisations.  "While maintaining law and order, police officers should do their best to help and stick to their posts, even under inclement weather," he noted.

Having worked continuously for 17 hours on July 1, SGT Chan is thankful to the 200 officers from H Coy for working side by side with him. He said any public compliment s should go to all the officers on duty that day. "As long as we devote ourselves to every job, we'll get the support of the public," he concluded.