Newsletter No. 10

CUHK Newsletter amp u s Safety: Unit guards also have experience catching stray dogs and monkeys, trapping snakes, and chasing wasps. Campus Patrol One of the major duties of the Security Unit is campus patrol for the dual purpose of crime prevention and on-the-spot p r o b l em - s o l v i n g. The Security Unit divides the campus into eight patrol areas, and guards patrol every area at least once every two hours. In addition, supervisory staff regularly patrol by car or van. The Security Unit adopts a flexible approach to pa t r o l l i ng i n order to maximize its l imi t ed manpower resources. From 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., the focus of patrol is the main campus roads, car parks, and staff residences, because meet-class buses are frequent during that period, and staff residences are half-empty. In the evening when classes are over, the main patrolling points are student hostels and amenities centres. From midnight until morning, the security guards closely watch the staff residences and offices. Training The s t a f f i ng c o n d i t i on o f the Security Unit has been quite stable. Mr. Lau attributes this to the attractive working environment of the University, as well as the well-educated clientele. When compared with other security jobs with similar pay and fringe benefits, but in factories, housing estates, commercial complexes, and so on, the University seems a much better choice. Potential staff must have no criminal listed with the Royal Hong Kong Police in order to obtain a watchman's licence and become a security guard. A l l security guards will undergo training in giving orders, since when an accident occurs, the security guard on the spot will have to make decisions, give orders, and handle the situation himself without instructions and assistance f r om his supervisor. Calm and confident security guards are better able to manage crises. Security guards are also trained to obey orders, because absolute obedience can be crucial if guards are members of a rescue team which needs to act swiftly and efficiently. The appearance of security guards is equally important. They have to project a neat and healthy image i n order to convince clients that they are efficient and reliable. M r . Lau stresses that marching is a very good exercise to maintain the health of security guards and make them look tough. Marching is also u s e f ul i n ge t t i ng secu r i ty guards accustomed to obeying orders as well as sharpening their reflexes. Some Advice from the Security Unit An old saying which applies to campus security is that ‘prevention is better than cure.' The University campus is so large that it is just not practical to rely totally on the Security Unit. Mr. Lau reminds staff members and students to take good care of their property in order not to invite criminal acts. His ideal, which is also the ideal of all his staff, is that the whole population on campus should serve as the eyes and ears of his unit. He hopes members of the campus community will work together with the Security Unit to keep their property from being stolen and to keep the campus safe by reporting any dubious objects or conditions they come across. Security Officer - Mr. Linus Lau Mr. Lau had served in the Royal Hong Kong Police Force for 28 years before he retired from the post of Chief Inspector in 1981. During the period he had been posted to various units including the Traffic P r o s e c u t i on U n i t , the Police Tactical Unit, the Junior Police Call and district sub-divisions. He had also worked for a brief period as Operations Manager of the Hong Kong Security Ltd. before joining The Chinese University as Security Officer in September 1982. Dial 2222 to Reach the Security Unit in Case of Emergency 5