The Force Remembrance Day ceremony was held at the Police Headquarters on November 10 to honour regular and auxiliary officers who had fallen in the line of duty. Commissioner Siu Chak-yee, Commandant of the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF) Yang Joe-tsi, Senior Directorate Group members, officers at Assistant Commissioner rank and their auxiliary and civilian equivalents, as well as representatives from major formations of the Force, HKAPF and staff associations, attended the ceremony.

In his speech, the Commissioner said, “We are gathered here today in remembrance of all officers of the Hong Kong Police Force and HKAPF who have fallen in the line of duty. Through this solemn ceremony, we pay tribute to the dedication to duty and fortitude of all members who have served in the Force over the past 179 years.”

“Since the founding of the Force in 1844, officers have been facing different dangers in the course of duties, with their lives at risk at all time. Without fear, however, our colleagues never recoil, and always put the people first in safeguarding the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong with all their might. In particular, we would like to pay our highest respect to our fallen colleagues who performed their duties to the best of their ability and ultimately sacrificed their precious lives in execution of their duties.”

“The fallen officers, who remain a source of pride for the Force, have etched their legacy in history through their dedicated and exemplary service in protecting our people’s lives and property. Their sacrifices underscore the risks and challenges inherent in our daily work as police officers. Through it all, it remains our highest honour to serve and defend our community. We pledge to uphold the legacy of those who came before us and remain steadfast in our commitment to the Force’s mission of ensuring national security and public safety. The spirit of our motto, ‘Serving Hong Kong with Honour, Duty and Loyalty’, is demonstrated when we rise to meet the challenges of every operation. It also highlights that we respond to public reports and concerns with empathy and attentiveness.”

“Today, we are also joined by members of the Hong Kong Police Old Comrades Association, the Royal Hong Kong Police Association and former Force members. Like the many who came before them, they represent the finest traditions of service to the community for which the Force is both famed and justifiably proud – traditions, which continue today and are passed on from generation to generation and that make the Hong Kong Police Force one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the world.”

On conclusion of the Commissioner’s speech, the Last Post was played by the bugler of the Police Band and those present observed a two-minute silence in tribute. The Commissioner and Commandant of HKAPF laid the wreaths from the Force and HKAPF respectively.