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Since the outbreak of the epidemic in mid-February, 2020, the Force has started recruiting volunteers from supporting staff, auxiliary officers and retired officers to fight the virus at the front line. Having learnt of the news, the former Deputy District Commander of Eastern District Ip Chi-keung joined the Police Anti-Coronavirus Contingent (PACC) without hesitation and helped bring along 120 retired officers on board in only two days. The team was deployed to three boundary control points respectively to provide support to the anti-epidemic work on February 14, 2020.
One of the main duties of the PACC was to assist inbound travellers to put on electronic wristbands at boundary control points. Ip said, “PACC members had to work on a rotating schedule from six in the morning until midnight. Some even volunteered to work at the boundary control points and hotline centres on weekends. Meal breaks were shortened to reduce the risk of infection; water intake was also cut down to reduce bathroom breaks. Being provided with basic meal and transportation subsidy, all volunteers gave freely of their time to join this effort.”
As it was the beginning of the epidemic outbreak, all working parties were in lack of the know-how of fighting the virus. Ip said the retired officers had utilised their profound policing experience and management knowledge to formulate a safe and organised workflow and to enhance the efficiency of assisting inbound travellers.
Ip recalled his most unforgettable experience at the boundary control point, “A son overcame all obstacles to accompany his wheelchaired eighty-year-old father back to Hong Kong in a bid to fulfil his father’s wish of reuniting with his children and grandchildren, given his age under the uncertain epidemic situation.” Ip added that some members also had to look after young inbound travellers in addition to explaining the procedures to the elderly.
Serving with the spirit of “retired but not tired”, retired officers went the extra mile to join the PACC despite the risk of infection because they all shared the same goal – contributing to the fight against the virus in the hope of ending the epidemic in Hong Kong soon.
“Yung Shu Tau” will continue to publish PACC’s sharing. Colleagues are welcome to share their anti-epidemic work and experience with us via storytelling@police.gov.hk.
