Eighty citizens were commended for preventing or detecting crime, arresting criminals and saving lives at the Good Citizen Award (GCA) presentation ceremony, organized by the Hong Kong Police Force, on 17 March. Seven organizations were also recognized for going above and beyond at the event, which was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Chamber has supported the Good Citizen Award Scheme since it was launched 51 years ago.

In his speech, Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee said that the GCA not only highlights the importance of cooperation between the Police and the community, but also the Force’s aspirations to promote community engagement and strengthen connections with various sectors of the community. He attributed the success of the scheme to the support of Chamber, the Fight Crime Committee (FCC), and stakeholders from all sectors.

Chamber Deputy Chairman Agnes Chan also officiated at the ceremony, and expressed pride in the bravery of the GCA recipients, including bank staff who successfully intercepted scams and protected victims from further losses. She said that the business sector would continue to collaborate with the Force and stakeholders to promote crime prevention, making Hong Kong a better place to live and work.

Siu said this year’s awardees included 11 security guards and taxi drivers, who utilized their “work strengths” to take the initiative and go the extra mile to help fight crime. Siu urged members of the public to follow their lead and collectively contribute to a stronger safety network in society. He also reminded residents to be vigilant when encountering suspicious phone calls or bank accounts, and to familiarize themselves with the correct use of the Scameter+ mobile app to avoid falling prey to scams. He also called on the public to collaborate with the Force in the fight against deception by reporting any suspicious activities immediately.

Siu Chor-kee, a member of the FCC, said the Committee would continue to support the police to prevent crime, and praised the oldest GCA recipient for acting as a role model for all citizens.

This is the first time that the Good Citizen of the Year Award  (GCYA) was presented to six awardees – boatmen who volunteered to rescue 37 people during a maritime accident. The rescued persons also attended the ceremony to express their gratitude.

Launched in 1973, the Good Citizen Award Scheme is co-organized by the Hong Kong Police Force and the FCC, with the support of HKGCC. Each awardee is presented with a certificate and $3,000, while the GCYA recipients are awarded a plaque and $4,000. More than 4,600 citizens have been commended over the past 51 years.

The presentation ceremony also featured a new video series titled “Hello Good Citizen,” produced by the Force, with the sub-themes “Encounter,” “Acquaintance,” “Commitment” and “United.” The videos have been adapted from the stories of four GCA awardees who were also invited to participate in the film. The series can be viewed on the Police’s YouTube channel.

For more information about the GCA and its history, visit www.chamber.org.hk/gca2023/