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It has been many years since Wong Siu-ping has been on the beat. Today, she is mostly deskbound and catches criminals  by sifting through information on her computer.
But the 39-year-old policewoman has been pounding the pavements these past few months in preparation for another big catch - hoping to lower her best time at the Hong Kong Marathon.
'I doubt it if I can better my personal best of two hours and 55 minutes which I set last September in Berlin. But I hope I can run faster than the time I set last year in this race,' says Wong.
Last year, Wong was the first local female runner home with a time of 3:01:29.  To help  lower that time, she has been running 100km a week, training and conditioning herself for the big day.
'Fortunately my job, most of the time, is from 9am to 5pm. This has helped me train regularly after work. And of course I train on weekends,' Wong said. 'These last three months, I've been running every Saturday and Sunday.'
Wong works for the Criminal Investigation Department. She is a constable by rank - her task, to help net white-collar criminals.
'I enjoy working for the police. I have been in the police force for 20 years. I used to be a uniformed officer, but I switched to the CID where I have been for the past 18 years.'
When Wong first informed her parents that she was joining the ranks of 'Hong Kong's best', they were less than impressed. They didn't want their daughter running after crooks.
'They did not object, but I know they were not happy. But I was adamant and very determined to become a policewoman.
'I'm really happy that I chose this career. Hong Kong is a safe city, and it makes me proud to think I have played a part in that,' smiles Wong.
She is part of the squad representing Hong Kong this year, and it will be her fifth Hong Kong Marathon on the trot. While the Kenyans might be the favourites, she is determined to keep the Bauhinia flying high.
'I am a member of the Police Athletics Club and it was because of my friends in the club that I became a serious marathon runner. I took up distance running quite late in life, but now I enjoy it.
Wong ran her first marathon in 2004, at this event. She has since done 10 marathons and is looking forward to challenging herself to go one step better.
'I know I cannot run as fast as the overseas runners. But my target is to lower my personal best. I don't think I can do it this year, but I hope to run my best time in Hong Kong,' said Wong, who by hook or by crook is out to lower her time  tomorrow.



Short step from walking the beat to pounding the pavement for Wong