Zhou Quan set the tone for the meeting in advance, which eased the expressions of the Police Force Senior Assistant Commissioners present a little.
However, they still did not voice their thoughts.
For one thing, although all five wanted to move up another level, that was not something they could achieve with words alone.
Seniority, achievements, and, most importantly, their boss's attitude all mattered.
Having secured their current positions, all five had respectable records in these areas.
Yet when the five were compared with one another, their relative strengths and weaknesses were quite clear.
As for selecting two of the five Senior Assistant Commissioners for promotion to Police Force Deputy Commissioner, they already had a tacit understanding of who the suitable candidates were.
The second reason none of the five stepped forward was that Lee Man-bun, the National Security DCP who was still carrying out his duties as usual, was sitting to their boss's right.
For a moment, the five Police Force Senior Assistant Commissioners all turned their eyes toward Lee Man-bun.
Lee Man-bun remained unruffled, a smile as warm as a spring breeze resting on his lips.
"Since everyone is being so modest, I'll share my thoughts first."
Lee Man-bun straightened in his seat, then turned his gaze toward Zhou Quan at the head of the table.
"Sir, I believe Sergeant Zhou and Sir Lau Kit-fai are the best candidates to succeed Sir He and Sir Choi respectively."
After briefly organizing his words, Lee Man-bun calmly laid out his reasons.
"Sergeant Zhou rose all the way from the Police Force's rank and file, and he now excels in both administration and operations."
"When it comes to leading officers into action, Sergeant Zhou ranks among the top five in the entire Police Force."
As the guardian of law and order