At the passing out parade of the Hong Kong Police College (HKPC) held on July 9, 27-year-old Police Constable Lee Kwan-nam was awarded Shave Cup, Silver Whistle and Commissioner’s Certificate of Academic Merit. Lee comes from a family of disciplined services. His father is a retired station sergeant and his mother an Assistant Officer I of the Correctional Services Department. His sister, who joined the Force in 2015 and is now an inspector stationed in Crime Kowloon West Headquarters, was awarded the Brian Slevin Trophy, the Baton of Honour and Commissioner’s Certificate of Academic Merit when she graduated from HKPC. They are indeed outstanding siblings among graduates from HKPC.

During the raging riots in 2019, Lee was an undergraduate of the Science Faculty at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Seeing his father and sister dedicated to protecting Hong Kong, he blamed himself for not being able to join the Force immediately to fight by their side because of his studies. However, he chose to work as a clerk after graduation. “At that time, I thought it might be too monotonous for every member of the family to work in the disciplined services, and I wanted to break the established framework,” Lee said. Later, he found clerical duties comparatively dull, “Despite the opportunities for future promotion, it is no more than office work after all.” Yearning for the diverse and challenging police duties, he determined to apply to join the Force. Under the guidance of his father and sister, he was well prepared and successfully enrolled. When Lee received foundation training at HKPC, he found that he was good at memorising subjects such as law, but weak in physical fitness. The importance of teamwork impressed him deeply in the process of overcoming difficulties. “With the help of a classmate who loved physical training, I made great progress in meeting the requirements of pull-ups, back-and-forth running and other items, resulting in better physical performance scores. In return, I shared with the classmates the skills for reciting legislation, such as interpreting lengthy legislation as different stories, or reciting them in batches and then linking them together for easy memory.” Lee admitted the invisible pressure that existed initially, “My family members performed well in the disciplined services, so I must do my best too!” He later learned to let go the shackles, worked hard with his classmates and was finally awarded the Shave Cup. He was really overjoyed.

After joining the Force, Lee wants to develop his career in crime investigation, hoping to accumulate more frontline experience before applying for inspector post. Policing work is meaningful, and the training at HKPC has made him more mature. He therefore appeals to people who aspire to serve the community applying to join the Force.