Hong Kong's economy saw rapid developments in the 1960s and 1970s. At the time, Hong Kong also suffered an impact brought about by political turbulence and economic downturn. However thanks to citizens' fighting spirit, we soon emerged from the dark clouds and picked up our confidence. During this process, citizens and the Force both played their roles and took on challenges, laying a solid foundation for today's prosperity.

 

"Crisis" is a test of confidence. The key to finding a solution is "communication". To underscore the Force's professionalism, boost officers' sense of mission, and give the public a better understanding of the Force, OffBeat made its debut in January 1973. Besides officers' daily jobs, this founding issue also carried stories of the challenges and interesting anecdotes officers came across at work. This marked the launch of the reporting format of "telling police stories in police words", which helped strengthen the communication and understanding among Force members, between staff and Force management, and between the public and the Force.

 

Forty years have passed and OffBeat will reach the milestone of issue 1,000 in October, which is a memorable moment for both serving and retired members of the Force. To mark this special occasion, the OffBeat Editorial Committee will produce a commemorative edition for readers to reminisce about, with words and photos, the transformations that had taken place in the past 40 years.

 

Besides inviting Commissioner Tsang Wai-hung to grace the edition with a foreword, the Editorial Committee has also approached the founding editor, Mr Geoffrey Somers, to contribute an article on how OffBeat was mooted with the objective of rebuilding the Force's esprit de corps.

 

For many retired members of the Force, OffBeat also serves as their "social platform". Therefore, OffBeat close partners - Hong Kong Police Old Comrades' Association and Hong Kong Marine Police Retirees' Association - have contributed articles for the commemorative edition. Apart from looking back on the past and showing their love for OffBeat, the two associations also hope OffBeat would continue to shine and disseminate information.

 

In the past 40 years, OffBeat had witnessed many very important moments of the Force. OffBeat has kept numerous valuable photos, each of which has one or more moving stories to tell. The Editorial Committee has invited readers to vote for the photos they like best, which will be published in the commemorative edition.

 

OffBeat's English and Chinese mastheads, which had gone through many transformations, will take on a new look. The Editorial Committee has selected two new mastheads from the designs contributed by readers. Issue 1,000 will carry the new mastheads and the designers' feelings and views of their designs.

 

OffBeat has attained its goals and played its roles. Building on past success, OffBeat will continue its mission of projecting the Force's image in good light, caring about the welfare of officers, and bridging communication gaps. In the commemorative edition, we will not only look back on the past and our quality services, but also will rekindle the mutual love and help among Force members. OffBeat is looking forward to more support from Force members.