Police World Edition 2 2015

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The IPA’s
Far
East
Feast
After hearing stories about British
police officers still serving in
Hong Kong after the handover of
sovereignty from the UK to China, IPA
member Dan Smith’s curiosity to learn
more was ignited.
I n an email to Police World he said, “After
much internet reading I realised that the
Hong Kong police force is really rather
unique. It was in fact the World’s second modern
force to be formed (After the Metropolitan police)
and to this day is still based on the British style of
policing. Post-handover, British expatriate officers
continue to serve with the force and it is heralded
as an example to other Nations in the region,
including China.”
Having decided he wanted to travel to the Far
East with his brother, Dan submitted an IPA
travel form as a part of a holiday to Hong Kong
and Tokyo. Shortly after, Dan was contacted by
Eddie Wu, from Section Hong Kong, and invited to
dinner at the Hong Kong Police Officers Club.
Dan explained, “With Hong Kong being the urban
sprawl that it is, Mr. Wu met us at our hotel
and personally escorted us to the Club. After
arrival, and being warmly received by staff, we
were seated in the dining lounge and joined by
Assistant Commissioner Koo Sii-Hong.”
Whilst there they discussed the many similarities
between their police forces - which ranged from
operational policing, to epaulette design and the
battenberg patterns applied to patrol vehicles,
Dan presented his hosts with a North Wales
Custodian helmet.
Dan summed his trip up in saying, “I thoroughly
enjoyed my time there and would recommend
any IPA member who is contemplating going to
Hong Kong to simply do it as soon as possible.
It’s a fantastically global city, with a real mix of
nationalities amidst a backdrop of ‘East meets
West’ cuisine and architecture.”
14 POLICE WORLD Vol 60 No. 2, 2015
Article
East meets West cuisine
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Outside the Police Officers Club
Dan and his brother enjoying the fine cuisine
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