Central Police Station

Central Police Station

Duration

30 MINS

Checkpoint

6 Checkpoints

Introduction

Down the years, many buildings in this compound were used exclusively by the police. This route allows you to learn more about the evolution of law enforcement in Hong Kong from the beginning of colonial period to the decommissioning of Central Police Station in 2004, as well as the many stories that lie within.

5 Checkpoints
30 Minutes


1-1 The Story of Central Police Station

In 1844, when the police force was officially formed, maintaining law and order to make the city safe for everyone was the key task of the police.

In this room, you can read about the development of Central Police Station, and some major events it is involved in, from the photos on the walls on both sides.

On the islands in the middle of the room, you will learn the stories of unsung heroes who have kept the station in operation, including the barber, the chef, and many others.

You can also view the oral history of retired police officers who have worked at this station.

As you are exiting this room, look to the left of the door. The big copper gong would be banged to get everyone’s attention if there was some kind of emergency.


1-2 Ethnically Diverse Teams

The same, but different

The Hong Kong police force has always had officers from different ethnic backgrounds. This is useful in such a cosmopolitan city.

The illustration in front of you shows a scene at the Parade Ground back in the 19th century. You can see officers of different ethnicities as indicated by their uniforms.

Since 1919, Chinese, Indian and European constables all worked together and shared this Police Headquarters Block.

Each group had separate dormitories, recreation rooms, canteens and messes, so when they were off duty they could enjoy their own culture, language and food.

There was also an Indian Sikh temple, and a Mosque on this level.

Big Hats and Green Uniforms

In 1923, a new wave of constables were recruited from Weihaiwei, a British‐leased territory in Shandong in mainland China.

So the constables were now divided into four groups, A, B, C and D, for Europeans, Indians, local Hong Kong Chinese and those from Weihaiwei respectively.

This gave rise to the once‐popular humorous verse, “ABCD, big hat and green uniform; the whistle blows while the thief escapes”, describing local Chinese police.


1-3 The Beat Goes On

Oh, my poor feet

A police officer’s duty can be hard on his - or her - feet. Walking the streets for hour after hour, and mile after mile, can take its toll. A regular patrol can take hours each time.  And there’s no stopping for cups of tea, or a bit of shopping along the way. In the height of summer or in the middle of the rainy season, it’s hard work.

The Beat Goes On

From as early as 1862, police officers went on regular patrols on Hong Kong streets. This is a fundamental part of police work even today. It does not only serve to keep the peace, but also gives people a sense of security.

Each patrol route was called a “beat” and soon became adopted as a term in the local language.

As the same officers patrolled the same routes in the same small districts day after day, they became familiar with the people and could quickly spot if anything was amiss.

Be a beat detective

The 1938 Police Beat Book for Central shows four patrol sections. On the wall, you will see the No. 1 Section Day Beat for Central District.

If you like, you can take a walk around the district and see how good a detective you are by trying to spot any of the old landmarks.

Help! I’m in trouble!

Facing the beat map, the illustration on your right depicts police officers using a street telephone. In the post-war period, street telephones were installed at many points across the city as part of a police modernisation programme. These were linked directly to the Police Control Room in the Central Police station. 


1-4 Going for Promotion

Are you ready? Going for Promotion

It was common for criminals to feel nervous in Police Headquarters, but here on the ground floor, ambitious police officers could also get a bit nervous. The offices of the highest ranking officers, like the Regional Commander and District Commander, were located on this floor.

This is also the spot where young officers would wait nervously before going in for their promotion interview, or a meeting with senior officers.

Some would not even sit down for fear of creasing their freshly starched uniforms.

The first lady detective

Here, you’ll see three illustrated characters on the wall, one of them is a policewoman.

The police force started recruiting policewomen in 1949, and Kimmy Koh was the first female sub‐inspector recruited. She was later posted to Central Police Station as a detective.

Today there are over 4,600 women in the Hong Kong police force.

Could you be a good police officer?

If you think you could be a good police officer, take a look at the recruitment advertisements from different eras and the modern fitness criteria on the opposite wall and see how many of these criteria you fulfill. If you meet all these criteria, who knows, maybe you could be the Commissioner of Police one day.

Tiger tale

Just opposite the door to the Parade Ground, a tiger’s head was originally on display for many year in Central Police Station.

In 1915 the residents of New Territories called the police to deal with a tiger in their village. In the course of investigation, Constable Goucher and Constable Singh were savagely attacked and unfortunately died from their wounds. Constable Goucher’s grave is in the Hong Kong Cemetery in Happy Valley. You may read more about this story on the Tai Kwun Tale on the wall to the right.


1-5 Operation Central

Gun and shields

The Hong Kong Island Emergency Unit was established at Central Police Station in 1927. This room is the former Emergency Unit Armoury, where all the guns and other heavy equipment were stored.

Security was very tight with a thick metal door which was always locked. The guns were handed out through the gun window you can see. Larger equipment was packed in a box and handed out through the lower part of the metal door.

The gun racks on display are original ones used in the old days, while the guns you can see are replicated from several models used by the police force.

You can also see some other police equipment including helmets, batons and shields, which are on loan from the Police Museum.

Protecting the city

Over the years, Central Police Station has had to deal with all kinds of situations.

In addition to confronting armed robbers and controlling crowds, they also had to rescue and protect people in natural disasters like typhoons and landslides.

Although these are no longer their duties, for a time, they also had to manage curfews and even issue learners’ licences for drivers.

Police would also be mobilised in times of major disturbances, and you can see news footage of events like the 1967 Riots, armed robberies, the Lan Kwai Fong incident, and also typhoon and flood rescues.