The Chief Detective Inspector is dead. I'm now the top police officer in Hong Kong!

Chapter 31 Promotion Interview (Seeking monthly votes and recommendations)

Three days later, at nine o'clock in the morning.

Lin Tiansheng, wearing his newly bought suit and watch, straightened his tie in front of the mirror in the closet. He turned around, threw the plastic trophy for the "Good Policeman" award into the trash can, picked up his car keys, and went downstairs to a brand-new Chevrolet.

On the roadside, two uniformed police officers had just started their shift and were copying traffic tickets. When the middle-aged officer saw him walking towards him holding his police badge, he quickly nudged the younger officer with his elbow, stood at attention, and saluted: "Good morning, sir."

"We're on the same side, buddy, let's go right away." Lin Tiansheng fastened his ID, opened the car door, and smiled.

The uniformed police officer smiled and explained, "I'm sorry, Inspector Lam, we've never seen this car on the street before. We'll find out later."

"grateful."

The officer seized the opportunity to make small talk: "Officer Lin, are you working on Saturday?"

"I'm taking the promotion exam. The officers are too busy on weekdays, so I'll have to keep them company while they work overtime." Lin Tiansheng said casually, his hands on the steering wheel.

The two officers immediately stomped their feet and shouted, "Goodbye, sir!"

"I wish you good luck on your exam, sir!"

boom.

Lin Tiansheng stepped on the gas. Although it wasn't a fancy car, it was new enough, and the engine sounded clear, leaving a trail of exhaust fumes.

"When did a detective from the Serious Crimes Unit start living in Rongchang Building?" The young officer crumpled the ticket, his expression envious.

The reward donated by the gold shop owner was delivered yesterday, extremely quickly. Of the 8.7 million case, he only received a little over 200,000.

Zhang Jinrong, Ma Delong, and other team members each received 30,000 yuan.

One grade difference can mean a difference of ten times.

They both braved gunfire, yet their rewards were worlds apart.

This world is so divided.

Pi Zhibang and Superintendent Henry could only dream of the money they could get away with. But for the gold shop owner, "even lard loses two grams after passing through one's hands, let alone gold." If he could get back 80% or even 70%, he would have to thank the rule of law.

This is the real 1980s; it wasn't as dark as it seemed, nor was it as pure.

One word: vulgar.

Upon arriving at the West Kowloon Police Station, I parked my car in a sheltered area. Apart from the officers on duty from various departments, the rooms were all empty.

Prior to police reform, the positions of all Chief Chinese Detective Inspectors were determined by the Superintendent of Operations. The positions of all Chinese Detectives within the jurisdiction were determined by the Chief Chinese Detective Inspector.

Therefore, no matter how much money they spend to get promoted, the detective chiefs and chief detectives can quickly recoup their losses.

In those days, to rise to a higher position, even one's own people couldn't avoid paying a sum of money.

Following police reforms, a system of promotions beyond the established ranks was implemented, requiring all inspectors to undergo a joint interview by three superintendents before any promotion. While appointing Chinese officers, the police maintained a firm grip on personnel promotion authority.

The interview was scheduled for 10:00 AM, but I arrived at 9:30 AM.

Lin Tiansheng sat upright at the entrance of the conference room, his attitude serious. The three police superintendents who stepped into the conference room couldn't help but glance at him a few more times.

Seeing that two of the three superintendents were Chinese, Lam Tin-shing's confidence soared. It seemed the remnants of his gang had really put in the work. You have to understand, in the 1980s, there were very few Chinese superintendents. To get two out of a promotion exam was quite a feat.

Did any of your uncles or brothers from back then get promoted to superintendent?

Just as Lin Tiansheng was pondering, a policewoman pushed open the door and said in a clear voice, "Lin sir, please come in."

Lin Tiansheng nodded in acknowledgment, stepped into the conference room, walked to a folding chair, saluted the three superiors, and then sat up straight.

The nameplates on the table reveal the identities of the three superintendents: Superintendent David John, Superintendent Li Junxia, ​​and Superintendent Xu Anqi.

Among them, "David Sir" is the Deputy Commissioner of West Kowloon, in charge of operations, and Li Junxia and Xu Anqi are both well-known elite police officers.

Both of them studied at King's College, were classmates and fellow students, and worked in the Political Department. They both received training from MI5.

The former is in charge of counter-espionage, while the latter is in charge of internal security. They are currently the leading Chinese figures in the police force, known as the "Dragon and Tiger Brothers" of the Special Branch.

Not to mention that both of them have served as the top police chief in Hong Kong in history, they are currently in charge of great power and are very influential.

In short, if you want to get promoted quickly, you have to do the dirty work. If you don't help foreigners kill people, why would they trust you?
Lin Tiansheng withdrew his gaze, cursing inwardly, "Damn it, Mantis Shrimp said someone would take care of me, why didn't they ask them to take care of me?"

The police force does not have an explicit limit on the number of inspectors. Those who have made meritorious contributions can be recommended by the police station for examinations at any time, and the personnel department will try its best to arrange them.

According to the rules, the interviewers are chosen by drawing lots, and it's hard to say whether there's any supervision involved.

After introducing themselves and reviewing their resumes, David, the foreigner among the three, asked first: "Inspector Lin, you've only been in the Major Crimes Unit for less than a month, yet you've already received an interview recommendation. Your qualifications are too shallow. Give me a reason to convince me to sign off."

“Sir, I joined the police force at seventeen, starting as a uniformed officer, and have served for thirteen years. I don’t believe my service experience in other departments counts as a contribution to the police force.” Lin Tiansheng stood straight and spoke with appropriate tact in his defense.

David nodded: "OK."

He acts as a judge, requiring neither agreement nor disagreement, simply giving the interviewee the opportunity to answer before making a choice.

Li Junxia laughed and said, "Thirteen years of police service, almost catching up with me, you're considered a veteran in the police force. Before the police reform, you were already a Chinese detective in Wan Chai District, how come you spent three years guarding the reservoir?"

Lin Tiansheng knew that the promotion test would inevitably involve this question, so he had already prepared a response. He said loudly, "The Criminal Investigation Department is being disbanded, and the officers will be transferred to other positions. I will obey my superiors' arrangements."

Li Junxia, ​​intrigued, tapped the table and warned, "Being transferred is fine, there are various reassignments. You haven't been investigated by the Lianji Bureau, so you need to go to the pond to avoid suspicion?"

Lin Tiansheng was displeased, but remained expressionless: "I'm just following orders."

"Then why did you apply to be transferred to the Major Crimes Unit? Are you dissatisfied and want to be sent back?" Li Junxia asked with a playful tone, crossing his legs and playing with his pen, making no attempt to hide his provocation.

“Sir, I just want to do something,” Lin Tiansheng replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Xu Anqi suddenly interrupted, "Alright, if the police found no problems, then there are no problems. Lin Sir's abilities are obvious to all, and the police force will not bury talent."

"One last question, is Inspector Lin married?"

Lin Tiansheng looked slightly surprised and replied, "Not yet."

Hsu An-Chi laughed and said, "Remember to get married soon! You have no children, and you're working in the Major Crimes Unit. How can your superiors feel at ease?"

"Yes, sir," Lin Tiansheng replied, hands on his knees, but he didn't take it to heart. Although marriage could be a positive factor for promotion, it was also important to choose the right path in life. Whether you're married or not is important if your boss wants to block you. After leaving the interview room, he pondered the attitudes of "Xu Anqi" and "Li Junxia." Although his confidence remained, he was still somewhat apprehensive about passing the interview and securing a "two out of three votes" result.

(End of this chapter)