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As we all know, the Chinese triad societies, [sometimes referred to as 'Black Societies' in both the sense of secret and of criminal] they were and are a front for organised crime. The mendacious histories talk about 5 martial hero Ancestors who fought the Manchu invaders. Leading politicians, business men academics, movie stars and street punks, oh yes; and cops became members. You had to be at least part ethnic Chinese to be invited to join. A Chinese gangster freemasonry that presided over robbery and homicide, drugs trafficking, illegal gambling, prostitution and charitable institutions. For these men are Ming patriots, men of honour.

Chief Inspector Lai Bun was my squad instructor for 3 months in 1977 at the Royal Hong Kong Police Detective Training School. He taught us about surveillance, about triad writings, triad hierarchy, tried mudra, triad ritual and much more. There was substantial use by triads of martial arts schools as a front for their protection rackets.

Many, indeed probably most Chinese martial arts schools used Bai Shi / Ceremony of Ritual Initiation of Disciples prior to the Communist 'Liberation' and there has been a resurgence in Bai Shi since China re-opened for business in 1984. Usually this ceremony involves the burning of incense, which purifies those present as well as purifying them and removing demonic forces. The disciple makes an offering of fruit / money to the Zu Shi / Founder Teacher after accepting the rules of the school. The disciple also makes obeisance to the master of the school and to any senior disciples present. Bai Shi is part of the tradition in my Sifu's lineage. I changed things a little as did my sifu.

It was often said that the Police was Hong Kong's licensed triad society. In 1981 I was posted to Shamshuipo Police Station to a desk job. My immediate boss was an excellent man called Fung Kwok-ping, whom I deeply respected. Then it all changed I got a new boss, Harry A, who demanded I take immediate disciplinary proceedings against any constables or sergeants who left cigarette stubs on the station compound. It was clear he was a vicious idiot and his underling, Michael M,

telling me, 'Every time the boss sees you, he wants to hit you. He can't stand the way you look at him.' 

I realized that there was no point in arguing with Harry , as he was a superintendent and I was only a senior inspector, so I always agreed with whatever he ordered me to do and took no action whatever. It drove him nuts.

 The end came when the Commissioner of Police [CP] came to the station on an official inspection. He came to my office with the Kowloon [9 Dragons] Regional Commander, jack Johnston,  a nice Scots gent, who once told me once I was like a wild Highlander. Harry was also there with our keen and ambitious District Commander [DC].

After a few pleasantries, the CP asked if we had a Vice Register. We didn't have to have one, but if we did I'd be responsible for it. Harry and the DC assured the CP that this was a great idea which had their fullest support. The CP then asked, 'So Mr. Docherty, what is the present situation with the Vice Register?'

I gazed at the CP in a friendly way and said, 'The present situation, Sir, is that we don't have one, but I'll get it done as soon as I have time.'

Jack rolled his eyes staring at the ceiling. The DC and Harry turned white. The CP just nodded. 3 weeks later I was transferred to be OC Kowloon Regional Special Duties [euphemise for Vice]Squad. It was a punishment posting in those days with pressure for results from the Operations Wing, with allegations made by our criminal clients to the Complaints Against Police Office and the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

I was sent there to get into trouble;  I did, I also got to work with some fine male and female officers. I could also road test my street Tai Chi skills in the hundreds of drug and illegal gambling arrests arrests me and the team would and did make over 7 months – all over Hong Kong. We were given the right to make arrests anywhere in Hong Kong, so we were known as Kowloon Gwok Jai. [9 Dragon international].

The team quickly realised that I was the hardest kicker, so they had no problem with me kicking in the doors with  Tai Chi heel kicks - for the unkickable ones we had sledgehammer and wirecutters.  One time...,  but the hour is late it's time for cocoa and shortbread.