Out-going RC HKI Eric Leung: "As an officer, we must always be politically neutral, not politically ignorant"

Political and social awareness, and effective communication skills are essential to good police-community co-operation.

This was the advice from Hong Kong Island Regional Commander Eric Leung Chi-bun who starts pre-retirement leave this month after 34 years in the Force.

He said a modern police force needed skills and abilities like these to be properly equipped to deal with Hong Kong's rapid pace of social change.

Negotiation with political groups had become obligatory to police work and every officer should be aware of the latest political and social developments and be able to communicate with different interest bodies.

"As an officer, we must always be politically neutral, but we should not be politically ignorant," he said.

"Knowing what is happening in society and understanding the cause and effect of every incident is the key to an effective and fruitful negotiation with the public. It is so important when handling public processions and demonstrations."

Mr Leung encouraged continuous self-development and asked officers to support measures to enhance internal communication.

"The Force has made remarkable progress in a number of areas. Although there is room for further improvement, I believe great enhancement can be achieved with the help of officers' support and co-operation." Mr Leung spent 12 years in Narcotics Bureau, joining as a Senior Inspector in 1972, during which he was promoted twice and received a number of awards including a Governor's and a Commissioner's Commendation. In 1983, he was selected as one of Hong Kong's outstanding young people for his drug-busting efforts outside of work.

In 1988, he faced a big challenge when he was seconded to the Bramshill Police Staff College in the United Kingdom as teaching staff.

"My overseas post required I do a lot of teaching, which with no experience was a great challenge. My two-year stay in the UK was very rewarding with many opportunities to learn about the skills of facilitation, which was quite a different kind of teaching from that at our Police Training School at that time.

"The knowledge I gained in the UK helped my career development and gave me a lot of insight. I also garnered the opportunity to finish my master's degree course. My adaptability and self confidence was greatly enhanced."

With so many role models in the Force to follow, he thanked four of them who were particularly inspirational: Former Commissioners Li Kwan-ha and Eddie Hui Ki-on; former Assistant Commissioner Jack Johnston and current CP Tsang Yam-pui.

"I remember how Mr Li helped me overcome hurdles to pass the qualifying exam for Superintendent promotion (Staff Paper E), while Mr Hui had very strong motivational power and I enjoyed working with him. He was not only a good boss but also a very good friend.

"Mr Johnston was another officer I respected and admired. In fact, my desk was left by him when he retired as RC HKI!

"Meanwhile, everyone who has worked with CP Tsang will agree he is a passionate and very capable person with admirable presentation skills. I also learned a lot from him."

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