Mr Yu has led a busy life after retirement. He currently runs a barbershop at the Tsuen Wan Police Station to serve police officers. His shop is a small yet warm place with a human touch. On the wall is a plaque gifted by the former trainees of HKPC in celebration of Mr Yu’s new venture as a hairdresser at the police station. Plenty of souvenirs of the Force collected by Mr Yu over the years are also displayed in the shop. While showing his treasured souvenirs, he recounted how he joined the Force and his memorable policing career over the span of the past four decades.

In 1981, Mr Yu applied to join the then Hong Kong Police Cadet School after completing Form Three. He was appointed as a police officer after receiving two years of rigorous training, during which substantial changes were brought to his life. He recalled, “Our instructors not only taught us professional knowledge, but also led by example and instilled correct values in us. After seeing how they taught the trainees with strong dedication, I aspired to become an instructor and help train new recruits for the Force.” In 1991, he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to the former Police Training School (now known as HKPC) as an instructor. During his service, he was a deputy class teacher of recruit police constables (RPCs) before taking up the post of Firearms Instructor responsible for shooting training for RPCs.

"An instructor must be strict yet reasonable, and more importantly, know how to ease the trainees’ emotions,” said Mr Yu while sharing his teaching philosophy. In class, he demanded rigorous discipline among RPCs; outside class hours, he willingly served as their counsellor. Whenever RPCs experienced emotional distress, he patiently listened to their concerns and learnt about the pressure faced by them, trying his best to guide them step by step to resolve their troubles. As both a mentor and a close friend showing care and support, Mr Yu has forged strong relationships with each cohort of RPCs over the years.

"It is so gratifying that even years after graduation, they still turn to me to share their worries,” said Mr Yu. The trainees of the first class which he taught are now in their fifties, yet they still get together with him very often. "What touches me most is that these former trainees do not only reminisce about the past, but are also more than willing to share their life experiences. The bonding between us is truly priceless.”

Mr Yu’s long career as an instructor has not only enriched his own life, but has also gradually shaped the development of his next generation. He often shares with his children stories about his days teaching at HKPC. During festive holidays, many of his former trainees would pay him a visit or invite him to meal gatherings filled with joy and laughter. These experiences enabled his children to understand the true meaning of teaching. “My passion in teaching may have rubbed off on my kids as they’re all working in the education sector now.” Mr Yu added, “Training RPCs is actually no different from raising your own kids. The key is always to lead by example and nurture them with genuine care.”

Mr Yu also built up the expertise in hair-cutting techniques during his time teaching at HKPC. “As I was quite interested in hair-cutting when I was an RPC, my fellow trainees and I often cut hair for one another. I then became an instructor and started to volunteer to provide hair-cutting services for RPCs during off-duty hours as they had to keep their hair short and neat during training.” After years of practical experience, Mr Yu gradually mastered the basic skills of hair-cutting.

Since 2011, Mr Yu, on the recommendation of his fellow colleague, has started to volunteer to offer free hair-cutting services to senior citizens in a residential care home for the elderly. “At first, I was worried that my skills were not up to professional standards. However, I was so touched by what the superintendent of the care home said to me.” He recalled, “The superintendent reminded me that the elderly might not be able to tell whether you did a good job, but they could feel your care during the process.” Since then, he has regularly visited residential care homes for the elderly and community centres during his free time to offer free haircuts to senior citizens, thereby serving society in a new way.

In the course of volunteering, Mr Yu has come to realise that hairdressing is more than creating a hairstyle pleasing to the eye. It is also about providing the services to meet the actual needs of the elderly. He recalled an experience that he always remember. “An elderly woman lined up at the community centre in the early morning for the free hair-cutting services. I suggested a thoughtfully designed hairstyle with long side-swept bangs to her, but she insisted on having a short fringe,” said Mr Yu. He could not see why she preferred a short one until he came across the same elderly woman collecting cardboard on the street. “I finally realised that what she needed was a hairstyle fitting her labour work. Providing services is not about showcasing our skills, but taking into account the needs of service recipients from their point of view.”

Mr Yu became increasingly skillful and professional in hairdressing thanks to the guidance of experienced hairdressers during his time at the volunteer service team of giving free haircuts. Retiring in late 2023, he has begun to run the barbershop of the Tsuen Wan Police Station as the “Police Station Hairdresser”. With his hair-cutting services, police officers are able to keep neat and tidy without hassle. “Perhaps I’m one of the few hairdressers with policing experience in Hong Kong,” he said with a chuckle. “My clients enjoy chatting with me while having their hair cut, as we share similar experience. This is what makes this barbershop so unique.”

Mr Yu said, “Giving haircuts has become my lifelong interest. Being the police station’s hairdresser is the perfect way for me to showcase my talent after retirement.” All those years of cutting hair for free has honed his skills, but assuming the role of a shop operator was a whole different challenge to him. To make sure he was ready for his new role, he specially sought professional advice from the wife of a former colleague who owns a barbershop. He threw himself into learning every detail, from the basic steps of washing, dyeing and perming hair, to ordering supplies and management of a shop.。

“After spending most of my life as a police officer, I really should stay as humble as possible to learn something new,” he quipped. The experience as an “apprentice” made him realise that there is always a new chapter of life if we have a strong desire to learn, regardless of our age. At present, Mr Yu seeks to continuously upgrade his skills in hairdressing. He has particularly learnt from experienced masters the techniques of using traditional razors, with a view to providing more professional shaving services for his clients. With a goal of striving for excellence in providing professional and friendly service, Mr Yu has built up a large clientele after operating the barbershop for nearly two years.

“I feel really fulfilled that I’ve turned my hobby into my post-retirement career with recognition from my clients,” he said. Besides managing his barbershop, he particularly treasures the time spent with his beloved family members. He continued, “My family always provided me with the strongest support throughout my years in the Force. After retiring, I now have plenty of time to spend with them. Whenever I give haircuts to my family members, we keep chatting and sharing wonderful moments together. This is our unique way of family bonding.”

With a pair of scissors and impressive skills in the art of hairdressing, Mr Yu has always maintained close ties with the Force, the community, and his family. The thoughtfully adorned barbershop has served as his new own stage after retirement, enabling him to pursue his dreams in the next chapter of life.