The foot drill movements currently adopted by the Hong Kong Police Force have been developed over many years into a distinctive Hong Kong style foot drill with local characteristics. In February this year, the Hong Kong Police College (HKPC), the Police Tactical Unit Headquarters and the Auxiliary Support Bureau deployed officers to receive Chinese-style foot drill training conducted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison for the first time. These officers performed the Chinese-style foot drill for the public for the first time during the open day of the National Security Education Day on April 15, turning a new page in the development of the Force’s foot drill training. The Flag Party formed by HKPC also adopted the Chinese-style flag raising in events such as the anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Drill instructor of HKPC Wu Tsz-pan is one of the officers who received the Chinese-style foot drill training. Describing the learning experience as strenuous, he said, “We spent a lot of time learning the correct standing posture in the first week.” All movements in Chinese-style foot drill training are based upon the standing posture, apart from maintaining their chests in an upright position, pulling in their abdominals and keeping their heads up, officers need to display confidence and determination during the march.

“Another challenge is to learn to listen to different foot drill commands and call them out. You must be loud and clear when you give out Chinese-style foot drill commands, and use a mixture of high and low-pitched tones rhythmically. We practised repetitively to become familiar with different commands until our voices became hoarse,” he added.

Chinese-style foot drill requires a specific military “posture” and synchronised movements with steady and sonorous steps. Wu Tsz-pan pointed out the “zheng bu” (a specific type of marching step) is another big challenge for officers. Apart from requiring officers to have identical movements, they also need to press their toes on each step and land on the soles of their feet to make a loud sound on each step of the way.

In addition, Chinese-style foot drill demands precision. During training, the instructors of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison would pull a rope to straighten it to measure the neatness and angle of each movement, for example the arm swing amplitude, the position of the rifle, and the distance between the sole and the ground during “zheng bu”. After repetitive training and adjustments, officers gradually learnt the techniques of the Chinese-style foot drill.

Wu Tsz-pan greatly admired the professionalism of the drill instructors of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison. He commented, “The instructors had high expectations for the trainees and they were immaculate about each movement. At the same time, they taught us with great patience throughout the training. They also used different methods to help us learn and encouraged us in the process, they are good role models for us.”

Wu Tsz-pan was the flag guard and flag raiser at different ceremonies. “When the national flag and the regional flag were raised, I felt a sense of pride and love for the country deeply. As an instructor of HKPC, I shoulder the responsibilities to train new generations of police officers. I will pass on the experience, professionalism and attitudes developed from the Chinese-style foot drill training to the next generation,” he said.