The Steps They Take: 77 New Faces in Hong Kong's Volunteer Force

Hong Kong. A city etched in contrasts, constantly recalibrating its identity. On March 22, 2025, against this intricate backdrop, seventy-seven individuals took a significant step. They stood on the parade ground, crisp in their uniforms, marking their graduation into the Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force (HKAPF). A passing-out parade. It sounds routine, almost ceremonial. But in this city, at this time, few things are ever that simple.

These 77 are not career officers. They are volunteers. Teachers, accountants, engineers, students—citizens choosing to dedicate their spare hours, evenings, and weekends to donning a uniform, undergoing rigorous training, and standing ready to support the regular police force. They are joining a lineage stretching back, in various forms, over a century, formally established as the HKAPF in 1957. A force of approximately 4,500 part-time members, equipped like their full-time counterparts, ready for emergencies, crowd control, or simply reinforcing daily patrols.

On the surface, the parade was a celebration. A moment of pride for the graduates, their families watching, acknowledging the culmination of approximately 370 hours of demanding basic training—law, procedure, drills, tactics, weapons handling. It’s a visible symbol of civic commitment, individuals stepping up under the motto, "Serving Hong Kong with Honour, Duty and Loyalty." A necessary reinforcement, proponents argue, providing vital manpower during typhoons, major public events, or unexpected crises. Cost-effective support in a city that runs on efficiency. But beneath the polished boots and synchronized drills, deeper currents flow.

Hong Kong's recent years have been turbulent. The relationship between the public and its police force has faced intense scrutiny, marked by controversies and divisions stemming from widespread protests. Trust, once assumed, became fractured. This context inevitably shadows the auxiliary force. Does the public see these volunteers as distinct community members building bridges, or simply an extension of a force some view with apprehension? The answer isn't straightforward. It lies scattered in small details, individual perspectives.

For some, the sight of auxiliary officers—neighbours in uniform—might offer reassurance, a tangible link between the community and its protectors. These volunteers, drawn from diverse backgrounds, potentially bring different perspectives, a closer connection to the streets they patrol part-time. Their presence could, theoretically, enhance understanding.Yet, questions linger, whispered in some quarters and debated more openly in others.

Part-time training, however thorough, faces comparison with the immersive experience of career officers. In high-pressure situations, will the response be seamless? Accountability is another pressure point—clear lines of responsibility are crucial, especially when volunteers wield the same powers, carry the same equipment, including firearms, as regular officers. The risk of missteps, and the handling of them, carries significant weight.

The force itself isn't static. It has adapted through Hong Kong's history, through riots and political shifts. Its role today, supporting a regular force navigating complex challenges under new legal frameworks, continues to evolve. The 77 new graduates step into this evolving landscape. They represent an individual choice, a commitment made amidst complexity.

Creative initiatives have been suggested—greater public participation in events, enhanced training in sensitivity and communication, clearer integration protocols. Ideas aimed at bolstering effectiveness while simultaneously addressing the delicate issue of public trust. Can volunteerism bridge divides? Can shared community membership outweigh inherited skepticism? The March 22nd parade was a snapshot.

Seventy-seven journeys converging for a moment of formal recognition before diverging again into the city's rhythm—back to day jobs, families, studies, but now with an added layer of responsibility. It highlighted the enduring concept of citizen service. But it also underscored the intricate reality of policing in contemporary Hong Kong, where every action, every symbol, is examined, debated, and felt deeply. In a city constantly navigating its future, the steps taken on that parade ground echo far beyond the barracks square, touching the very fabric of community, security, and trust.