警聲

Police Constable Simon, an ethnic Pakistani aged 20, is a native Hong Konger who loves running. He has been a long-distance runner since his school days. His personal best time for 10km was 33 minutes. Simon joined the Force and received Recruit Police Constable Foundation Training last year. When he took the 2 400m assessment for the first time, Simon finished at a good time of 7 minutes 22 seconds, which was only one second slower than the original record that had been standing for 28 years. Having injured his leg during training, Simon thought he would make no more breakthrough. Unexpectedly, he set a new record at 7 minutes 14 seconds in the last fitness test, leaving his name in the hall of fame.


Some years ago, Simon and his elder brother joined Project Himalaya, which was designed for non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) youngsters. Together they applied to join the Force subsequently and were admitted to start their training at Hong Kong Police College (HKPC) in August last year. Upon passing out this February, Simon was assigned to Tuen Mun Division. He admitted that his NEC face caused him many problems. “When people give statements, they may question whether I understand spoken Chinese. Someone being inquired even made verbal provocation about my complexion. Yet it is my firm belief that as long as I remain professional and impartial in law enforcement, I can surely promote mutual acceptance and respect among different ethnicities.”


Being proficient in Urdu, he has helped Pakistanis who do not speak Chinese resolve disputes with local Hong Kongers. His elder brother, who passed out at the same time as he did, had similar experience. In a suspected indecent assault case involving a Pakistani girl, although the victim’s father sought the police’s help, he refused to allow his daughter to proceed with the subsequent evidentiary proceedings because he was afraid that his family would be scandalised. It was not until Simon’s brother explained as a fellow countryman that the father changed his mind and accompanied the girl to testify in court.


While he has been a policeman for half a year only, Simon already feels that his job has the dual mission of enforcing the law and promoting mutual assistance and inclusion. He encourages more qualified NEC to join the Force and serve the community. He plans to take a degree course in the future to equip himself as proactive preparation for inspectorate recruitment.


Through Project Himalaya, Simon becomes a policeman promoting inclusion while enforcing law.
Through Project Himalaya, Simon becomes a policeman promoting inclusion while enforcing law.
Simon now stations at Tuen Mun Division and helps promote policing work among the NEC community in Hong Kong.
Simon now stations at Tuen Mun Division and helps promote policing work among the NEC community in Hong Kong.

Members of OffBeat Editorial Committee:

Ms Karen Tsang CSP PR (Chairperson)
Mr Leung Chung-man SSP MLS PR
Ms Christine Choi PIO PP PR
Mr Terrence Tse CIP MR PR
Ms Chris Wong TSRO HKI
Mr Raymond Lee TSRO KE
Mr Tommy Lai TSRO KW
Ms Grace Mak TSRO NTS
Mr Marco Chan ATSRO NTN
Ms Jennifer Lee TSRO MAR
Mr Clement Chan CIP A&S HKPC
Mr Herman Yeung CIP SR 2
Mr Calvin Leung SIP HQ (1) CRM
Mr Alex Leung JPOA REP
Ms Yvonne Wu EO CSR A

 

Editor: Ms Elvin Wong: 2860-6171
Reporters: Ms Fan Wing-yan: 2860-6172
Ms Nicole Yim

Dr Peter Chung: 2860-6131
Photographers: Mr Hugo Lam: 2860-6174
Mr Rex Ip: 2860-6175
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Deadline for Issue 1242: September 14, 2023 (before 6pm)
Deadline for Issue 1243: September 25, 2023 (before 6pm)


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Published by Public Relations Wing, Hong Kong Police Force