Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee (center) presents the "Good Citizen of the Year Award" to six boatmen who volunteered to sail out and rescue people from danger during a maritime accident at the presentation ceremony of the award in Hong Kong on March 17, 2024. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)
A 17-year-old high school student and an 84-year-old woman were among 80 people and seven organizations receiving this year’s “Good Citizen Award” at a ceremony organized by the Hong Kong Police on Sunday.
Six boatmen simultaneously received the award for the first time for voluntarily rescuing 37 people off Sai Kung public pier in September 2022 after their boats and canoes capsized in bad weather.
The award, also known as the “Model Citizen Award”, was first introduced in 1973 by the police force and the Fight Crime Committee, with the support of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
The oldest recipient was an 84-year-old, wheelchair-bound woman, who was commended for her wits that swiftly brought a fraudster to justice. She had received a phone call from a conman disguised as her son and demanding HK$50,000 ($6,410). The woman pretended she would meet the demand, but called the police instead. The fraudster was arrested on the spot.
ALSO READ: Hong Kong visitor arrivals surge three-fold in first two months
The youngest awardee was a 17-year-old student, who helped the police apprehend a suspect in an indecent assault case.
Commissioner of Police Siu Chak-yee said at the ceremony the “Good Citizen Award”, established 51 years ago, demonstrates not only the importance of police-community co-operation, but also the police force’s aspiration to promote community engagement, and strengthen relations with various sectors of the community.
Among the 80 cases involved, 25 were related to searches for missing persons and saving lives, with 22 cases of theft, 15 cases of indecent assault and voyeurism, 7 cases of fraud, and 11 cases of criminal destruction, assault, and illegal entry.
ALSO READ: Hong Kong sees significant jump in residents' income in Q4
The award, also known as the “Model Citizen Award”, was first introduced in 1973 by the police force and the Fight Crime Committee, with the support of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce. So far, more than 4,600 residents have won the award, with each receiving a certificate and a cash bonus of HK$3,000.
Winners of the “Good Citizen of the Year Award”, which was introduced in 1984, will get a plate and HK$4,000 in cash.
