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The objective of traffic policing is to ensure road safety and a smooth traffic flow through the 3E’s strategy (Engineering, Engagement and Enforcement). Thus, the Traffic Branch Headquarters (TBHQ) has formulated a two-year action plan that is centred on the four principles including People, Planning and Processes, Resources as well as Partnerships. Newly passing out recruits are definitely one of the target groups of TBHQ. On October 10, TBHQ and officers of Traffic Hong Kong Island introduced traffic policing to Recruit Police Constables (RPCs) at the Police College.
Chief Inspector Cheng Yam-ho shared his four-year traffic experiences with the recruits. During the sharing session, Mr Cheng played a video of high speed pursuits conducted by the Police to intercept suspected vehicles. “You may think vehicle pursuit is a very dangerous task, but the most life-threatening moment may occur when an officer approaches the intercepted vehicle.” Mr Cheng supplemented that traffic officers are often the first to attend scenes including open fire cases. “The person(s) inside the vehicle may just be a driver whose driving licence was disqualified or a gang of bandits who just committed serious crime with deadly weapons.”
Police Constable Ting Wai-chi is among the minority of female police officers who are serving in Regional Traffic Formations. Her father is a retired traffic station sergeant. She was influenced by her father and her childhood’s wish was to become a traffic officer. “Traffic policing it’s not just about ticketing, our work is actually very diversified. There are also many traffic vehicles and equipment.” Ms Ting demonstrated the latest police motorcycle to the recruits. “If you want to master it, training and practice are both essential.”
RPC Lam Wai-chun who was a bus driver before joining the Force said, “I have a favourable impression on traffic officers. Some road users only concern about themselves, particularly last year when there were minimal traffic officers on the roads as they were redeployed to handle protests. There seemed to be no order on the roads. Thanks to all traffic officers who had cleared road barricades to resume traffic.”
Traffic policing is a profession. The Force not only provides sufficient traffic related training, but also introduces new equipment to enhance the enforcement capability of traffic officers. The Force offers a series of training to officers who are interested in traffic policing to equip them with professional knowledge and skills.
