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While Hong Kong is still under threat from the COVID-19 outbreak, violence acts in opposition to the extradition law amendment bill have already shown signs of resurgence. To help frontline officers unload their pent-up stress, the Force’s Psychological Services Group has launched a series of workshops called “Tideriders: Know Yourself and Know the Others”. During each workshop, psychologists would lead group discussions and invite officers from units including the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau, Police Public Relations Branch and Police Negotiation Cadre to open up to the participants.
OffBeat witnessed one of the workshop’s activities first-hand, in which the psychologists laid out multiple photos depicting different scenes at protests against the extradition law amendment bill, such as rioters assaulting police officers using weapons, injured officers being taken to hospital, journalists reporting from the scenes and students besieging university campuses. Later on, the psychologists invited each police officer in attendance to choose one photo that could evoke the strongest emotions in him or her, then explain the reasons behind and also share his or her feelings in group discussions.
Senior Police Clinical Psychologist Mak Wing-fun could fully grasp how stressed these frontline police officers had been when she had heart-to-heart talks with them. She said, “A seasoned officer told me that current times are even worse for officers than the days they had to deal with robbers pouring into Hong Kong from Mainland China back in the 90s! Although officers were putting their lives on the line back in the days that were rife with gunfights, when they went off duty, they could really be off duty. However, given the ceaseless escalation of violence instigated by protesters since mid-2019, police officers even have to worry about being ambushed when they get off work. Some colleagues who drive to work and drive home would avoid showing any items that may give away their association with the Force, and they would even hide their warrant cards underneath the carpets lining their cars. They find it very humiliating.”
Ms Mak continued, “Compared to the Occupy Movement in 2014, news broadcasts and the circulation of messages are even speedier nowadays, but such messages are often laced with malicious propaganda. As a result, even if the Force gives rebuttals afterwards, some citizens cannot shake off the preconceived notions, which leads to misconceptions and significantly adds to the difficulties encountered by frontline officers when they enforce the law at scenes of clashes. However, among all sources of stress, what saddens the officers the most is the breakdown of their relationships with family or friends because of their divergent political views.
When Ms Mak was asked why the theme of this workshop is “Know Yourself and Know the Others”, she explained that “Know Yourself” is used to encourage colleagues to express and share their personal feelings, and let them know that they are not alone. “Even if their political views and perspectives are different from those of their friends and relatives, they do not have to get too emotional or rush to convince the other party. They should try to put aside their own views and listen to what the other party has to say. The other party will eventually feel how much they care and treasure them.”
Meanwhile, “Know the Others” is the way frontline officers analyse the psyche and modus operandi of protesters. Ms Mak said, “Those protesters do not target individuals, but the whole Force and even the entire Government, during their attacks. Therefore, colleagues need not take these protesters’ words, actions and groundless accusations to heart. Besides, we encourage colleagues to support each other and enforce the law with utmost professionalism, in order to safeguard the rule of law of Hong Kong.”
