HONG KONG — Commissioner of Police Mr Chow Yat-ming officiated at the passing-out parade of the second cohort of the Police Cadet Training programme at the Hong Kong Police College on Saturday, June 13, 2026, marking the successful completion of an intensive 30-week professional training course by 159 cadets.
The passing-out parade represents a significant milestone for the Diploma of Applied Education (DAE) – Police Cadet Training programme, which was first launched in 2024 as a joint initiative between the Hong Kong Police College and three educational institutions: the Caritas Institute of Community Education, the Hong Kong College of Technology, and the Hong Kong Institute of Technology. The programme is distinctive in that it employs serving police officers as instructors, providing cadets with direct exposure to the discipline, values and operational knowledge of the Force.
Addressing the graduating cadets, Mr Chow highlighted the progressive evolution of the programme since its inception. Drawing on the lessons and experience gained from the first cohort, the course structure was significantly enhanced for the second intake, with the training period extended from 22 weeks to 30 weeks. Additional instructors and manpower resources were also allocated, creating what Mr Chow described as a markedly improved environment for learning and professional development.
Mr Chow placed particular emphasis on the transformative impact of the programme's most demanding component — a five-day, four-night outdoor experiential training exercise referred to as "hell week." During this phase, cadets were subjected to extreme physical and mental challenges designed to push them beyond their perceived limits. According to Mr Chow, it was through enduring these shared hardships that the cadets developed genuine mutual support and forged the team cohesion essential for a career in law enforcement.
"Self-confidence provides the strength to stand firm, while teamwork enables one to journey further," Mr Chow told the graduates, encapsulating the dual pillars of the training philosophy. He noted that the cadets had overcome numerous challenges throughout the 30-week curriculum and had emerged with solid confidence and a "can-do" spirit that would allow them to remain resolute when facing the inevitable difficulties and challenges of police work. He stressed that in the Hong Kong Police Force, no officer fights alone — the team provides staunch support to every individual.
Mr Chow encouraged the graduates to continue equipping themselves and to fulfill their proper role within the team, expressing his hope that they would eventually become full members of the Force, jointly safeguarding Hong Kong and contributing to the broader national development agenda.
The DAE – Police Cadet Training programme serves as a direct pipeline for police recruitment. Cadets who successfully complete the programme and pass the Police Constable selection process are eligible to commence foundation training at the Hong Kong Police College upon graduation, offering a structured and accelerated pathway into law enforcement service.
Looking ahead, applications for the 2026/27 academic year programme are now open, with the submission deadline set for July 22, 2026. Interested candidates can find further details on the programme website at www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/15_recruit/dae.html.
The ceremony at the Police College featured the Commissioner reviewing the parade formation, presenting awards to outstanding graduates, and personally congratulating the newly minted cadets on their achievement. The event underscored the Hong Kong Police Force's continued commitment to nurturing the next generation of law enforcement professionals through structured, rigorous, and values-based training.
Sources: [HKSAR Government]
