The Hong Kong Award for Young People (HKAYP), formerly known as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, has 60 years of history. Over the years, the Hong Kong Police Operating Authority (HKPOA) has been fully supporting HKAYP and assisting in organising related programmes. HKAYP has recently held two award presentation ceremonies to commend the awardees of 2019 and 2020. Five Junior Police Call (JPC) members have received the highest level Gold Award, among which two are serving police officers.

The Gold Award Scheme participants must be aged 16 or above. Before they reach the age of 25, they must complete and meet the requirements of all five sections of activities, namely Service, Expeditions, Skills, Physical Recreation and Residential Project. These activities are extremely challenging and demanding.

Mr Wu Sui-kit is one of the Gold Award recipients this year. During his school years, he was a shy student who did not enjoy exercise, but since he had joined JPC, he became an avid long distance runner and even a good cook. After graduating from secondary school, he applied to join the Force as a Police Constable but failed at his first attempt. Therefore, he worked hard to improve his interview skills and physical fitness and was eventually enrolled as a police officer.

Mr Wu attained the Bronze Award when he was a Secondary Four student. After joining the Force, Mr Wu wanted to challenge himself, so in 2016 he applied for the Gold Award Scheme. He said, “For me, the Expeditions activities were the most unforgettable experience. We had to walk for at least 60 kilometres within four days. And when we were camping in Ngong Ping for the second night, there was pouring rain and the temperature had dropped to two degrees Celsius. This experience made me realise the importance of team spirit and strengthened my resilience in the face of adversity.”

Ms Chu Yuen-tim, whose father is a retired police officer, is another Gold Award recipient. Under her father’s influence, she had joined JPC and a uniformed group since she was in school. When she was in her first year at university, she pursued the Gold Award Scheme, but the process was fraught with many obstacles. She recalled, “Two of my teammates had quit in the middle of the Expeditions activities, so I had to join a new group to undergo the assessment again. Afterwards, I had completed the activities of both the Residential Project and Skills Sections, but because I hurt my back I was unable to undergo the assessment of Physical Recreation Section.”

Ms Chu was determined to become a police officer, so upon graduation from university, she applied for the post of Probationary Inspector and successfully joined the Force. She completed the training at the Police College with her resilient attitude developed from the HKAYP Scheme. During her training, she reignited her dream for achieving the Gold Award, so she completed the remaining two required sections before she turned 25.

Ms Chu said, “Through joining JPC and uniformed groups, young people develop law-abiding mindsets and aspiration to serve the community, and that is why many participants would eventually join various disciplined forces. HKAYP helps participants establish positive values, and through companionship and encouragement of their peers, they would become future young leaders in society.”

Force members and civilian staff aged 24 or below are welcome to join HKAYP. For enquiries, please contact HKPOA (Tel: 2828-7470).